What is "Adhesive" shoulder capsulitis?

Let's take stock: when you lift your arm, does it hurt? Is it difficult to get dressed while trying to put on a sweater? Does your shoulder lock up at the slightest movement?

If the answer to these questions is yes, then you're probably suffering from "adhesive" shoulder capsulitis, also known as "retractile capsulitis".

The latter is often confused with tendonitis.

Adhesive" shoulder capsulitis presents as often intense shoulder pain accompanied by a marked loss of range of motion.

It is divided into three phases, which can extend over more than 2 years.

• The first is the painful phase;
• The second is the "frozen" phase;
• And the last one is the recovery phase.

It takes patience to heal from "adhesive" shoulder capsulitis. chiro sterose accompanies you on your way to well-being.

The different phases of the "Adhesive" shoulder capsulitis

The process of "adhesive" shoulder capsulitis can take several months, sometimes almost two years.

It therefore seemed relevant for chiro sterose to explain to you how the so-called adhesive shoulder capsulitis evolves.

Initially, you may experience a phase of uncertainty, as the intensity of shoulder pain will be moderate.

The first pains are mistaken for tendonitis.

As a result, you continue to mobilize your joint without precaution, which only aggravates the pain.

It may take a few weeks or even a few months before you notice that the shoulder capsulitis is enveloping your joint.

You feel a sensation of inflammation, the pain intensifies and your shoulder begins to lock.

Inflammation will disappear, giving way to blocking shoulder stiffness.

Everyday gestures become difficult as you suffer from loss of elasticity, fibrosis and retraction of the capsule.

Imaging tests show nothing abnormal, but your chiropractor may mobilize your arm and find blockage in all directions.

Causes of "Adhesive" Shoulder Capsulitis

The first thing to remember is that in 50% of cases, the causes of so-called "adhesive" shoulder capsulitis are clearly not identified.

They can be triggered by trauma to the shoulder, or by certain medications.

Capsulitis often occurs in the context of stress, without really knowing whether anxiety is the cause or the consequence.

Some examples of causes related to "adhesive" shoulder capsulitis:

• Idiopathic (cause unknown).
• Trauma (e.g. rotator cuff tear).
• Surgery (complication encountered following shoulder surgery).

Women are the most affected and represent 80 to 85% of patients who suffer from it. Symptoms generally appear between the ages of 45 and 55.

What treatments?

• The intervention of choice is thearthrography distensive, where a quantity of fluid combined with cortisone is injected into the glenohumeral joint.
• Studies show that combining the previous procedure with manual therapies is more effective than injection alone, hence the importance of post-injection follow-up.
• Soft Tissue Techniques (Active Release Techniques and Graston).
• Passive joint mobilization.
• Electrotherapy and ultrasound can also be used to reduce pain, as can the application of ice.
• As soon as possible, integrate rehabilitation exercises and emphasize progressive mobilization of the joint.

Rehabilitation of your shoulder

Once the pain has subsided, you can begin to consider rehabilitation of your shoulder.

Your goal is to regain full mobility of your joint.

To achieve this, your chiro sterose performs manual mobilizations and series of stretches to gradually strengthen the muscle.

If you like water, balneotherapy sessions can help you gently remobilize your arm.

Your chiropractor can also advise you on a gradual return to sport. However, if you play tennis or badminton, you'll need to be a little more patient, as these sports mobilize the shoulder considerably.

Capsulitis often heals very well, but can leave stiff after-effects and sometimes affect the other shoulder. Never both at the same time.

The prognosis

• Left untreated, the condition will resolve itself over a period that can extend to more than two years.
• With treatment, it is possible to reduce recovery time and help prevent the long-term complications of capsulitis, such as loss of range of motion or prolonged disability.

Contact us to advise you. Your chiro sterose is committed to providing you with the care you need for your full health.