Do you have a frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is a condition that is characterized by stiffness and pain in one's shoulder joint. This condition is also known as Adhesive Capsulitis.

Risk of developing a frozen shoulder increases if one is recovering from a medical condition or procedure that affects the mobility of the arm such as a mastectomy or a stroke.

The cause for this condition is unknown. It's more likely to occur in individuals who have recently experienced long-lasting immobilization of their shoulder, such as after an arm fracture or a surgery.

Common risk factors for frozen shoulders are:

• Gender- 70% of individuals with frozen shoulders are women
• Age- being over 40 years of age
• Diabetes- Individuals with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop frozen shoulder for unknown reasons; symptoms may be more severe.
• Recent surgery or arm fracture- immobility being common during recovery, may cause the shoulder to stiffen
• Having suffered a stroke
• Cardiovascular disease
• Hyperthyroidism & Hypothyroidism
• Parkinson's disease

If you have had any injury that is making it difficult for you to move your shoulder, talk to your doctor at the earliest.