Dr. Allan Horowitz, published newspaper article, The Liberal, Copyright 1987-1991


QUESTION: I have a frozen shoulder and have been to see every doctor, physiotherapist, acupuncturist, as well as everyone’s grandmother and none of these experts has helped me at all. What should I do about this very sick shoulder of mine?- Marlene M., Thornhill.

 

ANSWER: To answer your question I consulted a real expert- my grandmother.

A frozen shoulder is one with restricted and painful shoulder movements without demonstrable intrinsic cause.

The usual cause of a frozen shoulder is one where the person (usually females over 40) has some sort of shoulder injury (maybe even a minor one) and as a result of the pain the joint is not moved through its full range of motion.

This sets up a combination of poorly understood reactions of spasm, congestion, adhesions and muscle shortening and the result is an almost immobile shoulder joint.

The best treatment of a frozen shoulder is prevention, however, if the pain and stiffness cycle has already begun then active treatment is necessary.

Many of these cases will recover, however, they usually take many months or years to do so and even then full recovery is not at all guaranteed and more likely the pain will disappear but leave the stiffness behind.

Pain is the person’s worst enemy in trying to recover from a frozen shoulder.

Exercise to gently stretch the involved muscles is the best form of therapy. Manipulation of the joint after a heat treatment has been found effective.

Corticosteroid injections are often used however their use should be questioned if multiple injections provide no relief.

Various drugs (anti-inflammatories, pain killers, muscle relaxants, tranquillizers) have also been used.

Manipulation of the shoulder under anasthesia is advocated by some and condemned by just as many.

My advice to you is to proceed with shoulder stretches such as pendulum exercises where you let your arms hang down and slowly swing them back and forth. Wall climbing is also very good. To do this, walk your fingers “up the wall” and make a mark at your highest point. Try to surpass this point each time you do the exercise. Try applying a hot towel or taking a hot bath and then immediately attempt the exercise again. There is no easy way out of a frozen shoulder. Hard work and a good attitude are essential.