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Medical Library Shoulder

Choose the body area

Massage therapy session in an office setting with a woman relaxed in a chair, facilitated by a professional.

Neck

Smiling male therapist assists elderly patient in modern physical therapy environment with equipment and natural light.

Shoulder

Female physical therapist assisting a young patient on a treatment table in a Marathon Physical Therapy room.

Back

Patient receiving laser therapy at Marathon Physical Therapy for pain management.

Elbow

Elderly woman exercising with a pink dumbbell, guided by a young trainer at Marathon Physical Therapy facility.

Wrist

Trainer assisting client on treatment table at Marathon Physical Therapy, with exercise equipment in background.

Hip

Therapist using a laser therapy device on a patient's leg at Marathon Physical Therapy for pain relief and rehabilitation.

Knee

Physical therapist with elderly male patient on treatment table at Marathon Physical Therapy with anatomy posters.

Leg

Physical therapy session at Marathon Physical Therapy, focusing on shoulder rehabilitation exercises for injury recovery.

Ankle

OVERVIEW

Adhesive Capsulitis

Shoulder anatomy diagram comparing normal vs. thickened joint capsule in adhesive capsulitis for Marathon Physical Therapy.

Adhesive Capsulitis (or a frozen shoulder) is a rare condition that causes the soft tissue layers, known as the joint capsule, to become damaged. The shoulder range of motion becomes restricted and painful. Although the cause of a frozen shoulder remains unknown, minor traumas, diabetes, hyperthyroidism and other conditions such as post-surgical patients or psychiatric patients may be responsible. It is described as having three stages: freezing, freezing, and thawing. The condition is self-limiting and will eventually disappear on its own. It can take up to two years for this condition to be fully recovered.

A home exercise program, patient education, stretching, joint mobilization and patient education can all help speed up recovery. It may take up to two years for some patients with frozen shoulders to fully recover.

GOALS

Possible Treatment Goals

  • Decrease Risk of Reoccurrence
  • Improve Function
  • Improve Muscle Strength and Power
  • Increase Oxygen to Tissues
  • Improve Proprioception
  • Improve Range of Motion
  • Improve Relaxation
  • Self-care of Symptoms