In acute conditions, physical exertion, sudden movements and any overload of the shoulder joint should be avoided. For this reason, it is recommended to use a sling and avoid resting and sleeping on a sick shoulder. As you know, sleeping on one side is not a pleasure, so you can get a special roller or a pillow that will allow you to fill the space between the poll and the sick shoulder.
PHARMACOTHERAPY
Drugs administered in the form of steroid injections or anti-inflammatory agents are applied between the shoulder process of the scapula and the head of the humerus; to the shoulder bursa or to the shoulder joint. The scope of pharmacological treatment, including the number and frequency of injections, depends on the specific case, the patient’s health condition, the results of the therapy and the specialist’s further decisions.
PHYSICOTHERAPY
As part of the rehabilitation of the frozen shoulder, physical therapy with an analgesic and anti-inflammatory profile is used. The most frequently performed procedures include:
- iontophoresis performed with drugs such as: naklofen, calcium chloride 1%, hydrocortison or lignocaine
- magnetic field, ultrasounds, laser therapy – repair and regeneration effect of damaged soft tissues
- electrostimulation – increasing muscle mass
Solux lamp, swirl bath of the upper limb – relaxing effect, oxygenation and tissue nourishment
- deep tissue massage in the area of the shoulder joint – reducing increased tension and improving tissue metabolism
- techniques to relax the muscle tension around the shoulder blade and shoulder joint – reducing pain and generating optimal conditions to regain mobility in the joint
- techniques for stretching the shoulder joint capsule – increasing freedom of movement and restoring mobility in the joint
- kinesiotaping – rehabilitation techniques consisting in wrapping the joint with flexible tapes that relieve the shoulder joint in inflammation, provide stabilization and dynamize the treatment processes
- manual manipulation – an invasive procedure performed under general anesthesia. The method used in the freezing phase after at least six months is aimed at breaking the fused joint capsule. The disadvantage of manual manipulation is many complications, such as fractures and dislocations of the humerus, inflammation of the rotator cuff, muscle tear or nerve paralysis. Despite the use of the method in many EU countries in Poland, specialists decide to use it sporadically
SLOW PROCESS OF APPROACHING HEALTH
In most cases, symptoms disappear after 1-3 years of systematic and properly prepared rehabilitation. It is a very slow process, which in many cases of using traditional methods does not bring the expected results, i.e. a complete reduction of pain and a return to full physical fitness. The most effective alternative is: