A frozen shoulder is a condition that limits mobility around the shoulder. Therefore you need the best shoulder surgeon in New York.  It is a result of blood capsules tightening around the shoulder joint. Fortunately, a frozen shoulder is not a life-threatening condition. Nonetheless, it can severely affect the quality of life you experience. If you want to live an active lifestyle, you must seek treatment to gain full mobility back to your shoulder. Frozen shoulders do not only affect very active or athletic people. It can become so extreme that you cannot lift your arm to do basic activities. 

If you are worried about the condition of your shoulder, you should visit the best shoulder surgeon in New York, Dr. David Altchek, for an evaluation. For more information on how we treat shoulder injuries, visit our website.

Causes

A frozen shoulder is a result of the blood capsules restricting the movement of the shoulder joint. However, there is no specific root cause for these blood capsules to thicken and tighten. 

This condition most commonly occurs after the shoulder has been immobilized for a long time, such as during recovery from shoulder surgery. 

Frozen shoulder can sometimes heal on its own; however, the recovery period can take a long time. The typical recovery period lasts anywhere from a year to five years. 

Symptoms 

If you think you may have a frozen shoulder, you should make an appointment with the best shoulder surgeon in New York, Dr. David Altchek. Visiting a doctor is critical to diagnose the condition properly to get the correct treatment. 

The general symptoms of a frozen shoulder include:

• Pain in the shoulder and upper arm region
• Difficult moving your arm
• Difficulty sleeping due to the pain and discomfort increases at night
  • If you notice that you tend to only sleep on one side because of your shoulder, you should have it checked with a physician.

Additionally, there are different stages of frozen shoulder where the symptoms might differ slightly. The two stages are the frozen stage and the thawing stage. The frozen stage can last for about 1 year, and after that, the thawing stage will begin. In this stage, the symptoms may get slightly better but it can be a long process that does not always end in the full range of motion. 

If you are concerned about the progress of your frozen shoulder, you should visit the best shoulder surgeon in New York to make sure you are getting the best treatment. 

Treatment: Best Shoulder Surgeon in New York

The first step to getting treatment for your frozen shoulder is to manage the pain. Taking over-the-counter pain medication can help, and sometimes prescribed anti-inflammatory medications are recommended. 

The next step is physical therapy and, if necessary, a medical procedure such as surgery. 

Physical therapy can help to improve the range of motion, as well as manage the pain. 

In physical therapy for frozen shoulders, your therapist will guide you through mobility exercises and sometimes use hands-on therapy to move your joints in particular motions. Additionally, the use of hot and cold packs before completing these exercises can help to prepare the muscles for exercise.

If physical therapy is not enough treatment, you may decide to pursue other medical procedures. There are many options to consider, which you can review with your doctor. 

The procedural options include:

• Shoulder arthroscopy
  • Shoulder arthroscopy uses small incisions to examine the area and make repairs at the same time. It is a minimally invasive procedure that usually takes about an hour to complete.
• Steroid Injections
  • Injecting steroids into the shoulder joint can help relieve pain and improve mobility. This technique is most effective at the beginning stage of a frozen shoulder.
• Hydrodilatation
  • This procedure injects sterile water into the joint tissue to make it easier to move. 
• Shoulder Manipulation
  • This is also a minimally invasive procedure. In this procedure, you will be put under anesthesia, and then the surgeon will forcibly stretch the shoulder in different directions. This is usually successful, but in some cases can cause a tear in the tendons.

Make An Appointment Today With The Best Shoulder Surgeon in New York

If you are suffering from a frozen shoulder, make an appointment with the best shoulder surgeon in New York to start your treatment. Seeing a doctor or thinking about surgery can be scary, but working with a doctor will give you a higher chance of recovering faster and regaining more range of motion in your shoulder. If you want to get back to an active lifestyle, the first step is seeking help. Then our doctors can do the rest and get you back in shape.