Comment on Rotator Cuff vs Frozen Shoulder by Adrian

It’s inevitable that at some point in your life, you will suffer some sort of injury.  One of the most stubborn and nagging injuries to incur is a shoulder injury.  Simple because we take using our shoulder on a daily basis for granted and it’s not until we injury it that we realize how important a properly functioning shoulder is.

When you do suffer a shoulder injury, it’s important to first learn which type it is.  The two most common shoulder injuries are Rotator Cuff and Frozen Shoulder.  So what exactly makes them different?  What are the symptoms of a Rotator Cuff injury vs a Frozen Shoulder injury?

Let’s first take a look at a frozen shoulder injury.

Frozen shoulder or “adhesive capsulitis” is a term that is used to describe all shoulder injuries that result in the loss of motion to the shoulder. It is more commonly reported by women as opposed to men.

Frozen shoulder symptoms are more characterized by:

Loss of motion in the shoulder jointDifficulty in raising the arm above the head, across the body or behind the back

The actual causes of Frozen shoulder are still somewhat of a mystery but it commonly occurs after extended periods of immobilization, a past history of shoulder surgery or severe blunt trauma to the shoulder.  Also if you have inflammation of the shoulder tissues where the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint thickens and contracts, it’s this inflammation that can leave less space for the upper arm bone(humerous) to move about freely.

Most traditional treatments for Frozen shoulder can include:

Specific exercise routineAnti-inflammatory drugs and medicationsMuscle relaxantsHeat and ice cold therapyCortisone injections

The worse thing you can do if you have frozen shoulder is staying totally sedentary.  The lack of movement, mobility and blood supply will only make your condition worse.  You need to stay moving so you don’t totally freeze and seize up(hence the name “frozen shoulder”).

It’s best recommended to avoid any and all exercises/activities that cause you discomfort and pain.   Perform stretching and range of motion exercises with the affected arm daily and apply heat and ice daily. Stick to the program.  When it comes to beating frozen shoulder, there really is truth in slow and steady wins the race.  And in this case, you will win the race against frozen shoulder. Make sure the exercises you do for Frozen shoulder are specific to this condition; otherwise you may be doing more harm than good which will result in a longer recovery period.

And then there is the rotator cuff injury.

Injuries to the rotator cuff and its supporting tendons are common in the workplace and athletic arena’s alike.  It doesn’t discriminate against age or gender.

Rotator cuff injury symptoms can include any of the following:

Muscles weakness when extending arm outwards and upwardsLack of shoulder mobility and limited range of motionConstant pain when performing activities that require the arm to stay overhead for an extended period of time(ie: painting a ceiling)Cracking or grinding sound when you move your arm forward or backwards / or laterally away from youSoreness, tenderness or dull pain in the shoulderShoulder pain at night, especially sleeping on your injured side

But here’s the good news!

Regardless of whether you are suffering from a frozen shoulder or rotator cuff injury, there are simple steps and rotator cuff exercises that you can take, that are immediately effective in treating both injuries!  And the best part is that you can do it at home!

In fact, all it really takes to completely eliminate your rotator cuff and frozen shoulder injury are 4 simple, step-by-step techniques that you can do from the comfort of your own living room, while watching your favorite television show – without the need for any special exercise equipment or gadgets!

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“Thaw” a Frozen Shoulder

Four Ways to “Thaw” a Frozen Shoulder

As it appeared in the Indianapolis Star - September 16, 2008

By Barb Berggoetz

Stiff, painful shoulders causing problems?

While the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons estimates the disorder affects about 2 to 3 percent of people in this country, Dr. Pete Sallay, of Methodist Sports Medicine/The Orthopedic Specialists, believes the number is higher because many are misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all.

“Many people are thought to have bursitis or arthritis because the initial stages of the disorder can mimic these diseases,” he said.

Although the exact cause is unknown, certain factors may increase your risk: age (40-70 years), gender (women are affected three times more than men), diabetes, thyroid conditions, cardiovascular disease and lung disease.

Here are ways Sallay says to identify the disorder and encourage the thaw:

Recognize the signs: Onset is gradual; initial stage results in vague pain or constant dull ache in shoulder, radiating into the arm. Gradual stiffening occurs over weeks or months, as the capsule surrounding the joint thickens and shrinks. Rapid movements may cause sharp pain that can linger.

Understand the stages: First “freezing” stage can last six weeks to nine months, with onset of pain and loss of motion. Over the next four to nine months, in the “frozen” stage, pain may improve but stiffness remains. In the “thawing” stage, shoulder motion slowly returns to normal, but physical therapy is needed.

Seek medical advice: Many patients ignore temporary symptoms. If significant pain progresses, combined with stiffness, restricted range of motion and night pain in arm, seek the care of an orthopedic surgeon.

Know treatment options: Treatment consists of anti-inflammatory medications, occasional injections and, in later stages, physical therapy. Heat and cold can relieve short-term pain. Surgery may be needed if symptoms don’t improve.

More

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Comment on Frozen Shoulder Treatment by Mike Pick

The internet is awash with good and bad advice on how to treat various injuries and conditions.  You should always consult a medical doctor before you start any treatment plan to ensure that you have been diagnosed properly.

If you are suffering from the “cousin” of rotator cuff injury, frozen shoulder,  then treatment involves non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain and inflammation over the short term, warm moist heat applied, stretching, range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises and application of ice after exercise.

The key to effective frozen shoulder treatment, and where most people go wrong,  is to use your affected shoulder as much as possible, in order to avoid making your shoulder condition worse.

It’s important to implement shoulder stretching and range of motion exercises to assist in the breaking up of  the “tightening” phase.

Be aware that if you suffer from frozen shoulder and if your pain significantly increases before you get to a position in the range of motion where the  tightness and stiffness starts to be experienced, you are probably a candidate for injection therapy before starting mobilization.

If cortisone shots do not work, the next treatment option for frozen shoulder is manual manipulation by a specialist while you are under anesthesia.

If you want to ensure that your frozen shoulder treatment works, there are 4 things you must keep in mind:

1. Make sure the frozen shoulder exercises you do are specific to the condition, so that you do not make your injury worse.

2. Avoid all activities and exercises that cause shoulder pain.

3. It’s best practice to perform stretching and range of motion exercises with your affected arm daily and apply heat before the exercise and ice after the exercises.

4. Don’t expect your frozen shoulder to be cured overnight.  Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to treating frozen shoulder.  The key is to be consistent, as it can take a great amount of time to heal and recover from this injury.

Not many individuals who suffer from frozen shoulder know that the treatment methods are same as that of a rotator cuff injury.  In fact, there are just 4 simple steps that you need to know and follow.

Even better, you can implement these 4 techniques at home without the need for any medical devices or exercise gadgets to get shoulder pain relief fast and improve your range of motion.

If you’ve had enough of your frozen shoulder pain and want to treat it at home – here’s your chance!

Simply click on the button below to watch a short video tutorial on how easy it is to get started.

View the original article here