Patients in the Reno, Carson City, and surrounding areas who are suffering from the symptoms of frozen shoulder can rely on the highly trained staff at Swift Orthopedics to develop a customized course of treatment designed to relieve their pain and restore their range of motion.
Your humerus (the bone in your upper arm) rests in a socket in your shoulder blade, where it is surrounded by connective tissue. In patients suffering from frozen shoulder (also referred to as “adhesive capsulitis”), this tissue becomes thicker and tighter than normal, causing pain in the shoulder and upper arm, stiffness, and limited range of motion. While the pain associated with this condition is typically characterized by a dull ache, patients may notice that their pain increases at night or when they move the affected arm.
Several factors may contribute to the development of frozen shoulder, including the following:
- Shoulder injury
- Overuse of the shoulder
- Cardiovascular disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism
- Tuberculosis
Frozen shoulder can also develop when a patient’s shoulder is immobilized for an extended period of time, whether due to injury or bracing following surgery. It is most common in patients aged 40 and older, and is more common in women than in men.
Diagnosis of frozen shoulder may require X-rays or an MRI to rule out the presence of other potential conditions. While we generally recommend that patients first pursue a conservative course of treatment (possibly including manual manipulation, physical therapy, stretching, heat/cold therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, medication, joint distention, and corticosteroid injections), we also offer surgical options for those patients requiring more extensive treatment. In the event surgery is necessary, the staff at our Reno, NV location also includes physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists who will continue to work with you following the procedure to ensure the best possible long-term results.
If you are in the Reno or Carson City area and are suffering from the symptoms of frozen shoulder, please contact Swift Orthopedics so that we can confirm your diagnosis and begin developing a plan of treatment customized to your individual needs.