Frozen Shoulder
Andreas Leonidou
Orthopaedic Surgeon
56 Kifisias Ave. & Delfon St.,
Marousi, 15125
- Marousi
- Conservative Treatment
- Conservative Treatment
- Cost
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What Is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder describes a pathological condition characterised by painful stiffness of the shoulder area. In addition to pain, the patient experiences a generalised reduction in the shoulder’s range of motion in all directions.
Frozen shoulder is caused by inflammation and painful contraction of the shoulder joint capsule. As a result, the patient experiences pain and is unable to perform simple daily activities.
Frozen shoulder can be primary (without a known cause) or secondary. One of the most common secondary causes is diabetes mellitus. Patients with diabetes mellitus have almost twice the likelihood of developing frozen shoulder compared to the general population. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus have an even greater risk of developing the condition.
Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder
The symptoms of frozen shoulder may last for a long period of time and are divided into three stages. Each stage may last from a few months to a year.
- Stage 1: This is the painful inflammatory stage. The patient experiences pain and a gradual reduction in shoulder mobility.
- Stage 2: The freezing stage. Pain decreases, but stiffness worsens and eventually stabilises. The patient has very limited mobility.
- Stage 3: The recovery stage. Gradual improvement in mobility.
Conservative Treatment
A patient with frozen shoulder requires assessment by a specialist Shoulder Orthopaedic Surgeon. An X-ray will be required to confirm that the pain and stiffness are not due to shoulder osteoarthritis. During the first two stages of the condition, treatment is conservative. It consists of an intra-articular cortisone injection (ultrasound-guided) and physiotherapy – physical therapy.
Surgical Treatment
Arthroscopy
If conservative treatment does not provide results and the patient continues to suffer from stiffness, minimally invasive surgical treatment is available with excellent results. The procedure is performed using shoulder arthroscopy through three small 4-millimetre incisions in the shoulder. A camera and arthroscopic instruments are inserted through these incisions. The adhesions are then released, and the patient regains the full range of motion.
It is important to mention that the patient does not experience any postoperative pain, as the specialist anaesthesiologist will ensure the administration of regional anaesthesia (nerve block of the upper limb). This regional anaesthesia lasts approximately 12–24 hours. Hospitalisation is not required, and the patient is discharged from the hospital a few hours after the procedure.
Rehabilitation After Surgery for Frozen Shoulder
After the operation, the patient wears a sling for a few days and, within one week, can regain a significant degree of their daily activities. An intensive – personalised physiotherapy programme with exercises, including home exercises, will be required in order to maintain the range of motion.
The detailed postoperative instructions significantly contribute to a proper recovery.
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How Successful Is Surgery for Frozen Shoulder?
Arthroscopic treatment of frozen shoulder is a safe and bloodless procedure with extremely low complication rates and excellent functional outcomes.
What Is the Cost and Price of the Procedure?
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