What does adhesive capsulitis mean?

If you’re reading this, it’s probably because of the phrase “adhesive capsulitis”. Don’t worry, I promise it doesn’t involve any kind of adhesive or cap wearing. But if you tend to get a little jittery at the mere mention of medical terms, have no fear. This article will demystify and unveil everything that adhesive capsulitis entails.

An Overview

Adhesive capsulitis is what some folks refer to as a frozen shoulder – yes just like Elsa; let it go! It has nothing to do with someone kidnapping your shoulder and sticking in freezer – although that would be pretty alarming! Nope – it is entirely due to an alteration in the connective tissue around the glenohumeral joint which results in loss of range-of-motion (RoM) (Hey-O!)
Think about trying to move around with one arm strapped behind your back for giggles – That’s adhesive capsulitis!

Let’s dive right into what adhesive capsulitis means.

The quick summary: Adhesive Capsulitits describes significant restrictions of external rotation about the joint combined typically with abduction (lifting away from body)and extension.(there are ‘hidden’ joints above & below glide restricted too) So… If you want more clarification…

To start , lets take a look at what each word ‘adhesive’ &’capsule’ mean:

A capsule aka joint capsule.. not either medication nor caffeine casing(!), envelopes an entire join .This keeps all components together like glue; hence the term adhesion, describing the fixings of said components.

With adhesive capsulitis, that glue turns into superglue causing more than just a minor inconvenience maybe even leading to one heck of a pain in the posterior delta region!

So what exactly is Capuslitis?

Well… From here we focus on around the Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ), located where your humerus and shoulder blade ‘cuddle’, simplistically put (but let’s not meander too far. :wink:). GHJ has it’s own casing commonly known as glenohumeral capsule!

This joint acts like considerable ball-&-socket stURdy DANCER – (gently roller-skating across partner after each spin), allowing movement for daily activities such as washing hair or reaching for something at higher levels.

In every situation some parts are active while others stay still -(if you’re fine with overly advanced mechanics: if motion occurs from when scapula muscles adjust!, keeping humerus in place ).

Causes

Since approximately three percent of people will get their first dose of AC, Its occurrence isn’t all that rare but rather mysterious!

But investigations have shown slow onset affecting people aged between 40 and roughly over SIXTAY -five!. Believe it or not but women allegedly outnumber men when it comes to developing this condition.

Leading causes include:

  • Diabetes

In diabetes (the pancreas produces little-to-none insulin), high blood sugar level can along other issues.

 That link is only quite recent so take off those dinner plates if you plan on eating 🍽 straight outta bed!! 😉
  • Rotator cuff injury

Naughty rotator cuffs (who knew?!) The rotator cuff group consisting mainly four muslces round the shoulder work together; occasionally referred to as the SITS muscles.

  • Supraspinatus

This muscle resides above the scapula, and assists in getting that much needed push-start during lateral abduction.

  • Infraspinatus & Teres Minor

These two hang out mostly behind the joint assisting with external rotation.

  • Subscapularis

Finally there’s subscapularis who is more of an introverted type, residing internally it faces forward.

Rotator cuff tears is frequently a byproduct of ageing as well as sporting-related injuries (Think golf players :wink:).

  • Trauma

An injury such as a car accident or simply falling down bruise can cause adhesive capsulitis. If your shoulder recently experienced trauma within any fashion…or maybe if you’ve binge watched ‘Ninja Warrior’ cutting onion whilst feeling completely unachieved (oopsies)… :yum:.

Symptoms

Now let’s talk symptoms; what are they?

1) pain And boy does this pain make itself known! It may be worse at night which doesn’t exactly sound like prime-time viewing..
Rest assured though it usually appears gradually over time where most familiar activities will sum up to being painful!

2) stiffness (loss of ROM),(it hurts even to put on/take off shirts!) some refer to their shoulders feeling just like they “are screwed tight”. Yeah one would possibly reach in vain for cold drink bottle placed just shoulder width apart!

As stated previously Adhesive Capsulitis has three different phases…

Phase One – Freezing phase:

This lasts six weeks-eight months 🎶:(time flies when you’re…in pain sounds like an Iceberg-hit-Titanic meme

In phase one slumber is where all that lovely adhesion is being generated; gradually causing the ‘super’ in superglue! (and not the type of “wake up at 3 AM having faked Gorilla” style glue usually used to patch up Lego sets 😂😉)

There’s a increase in inflammation, it may start off mild swelling & possibly pain.
Biceps brachii along with supraspinatus are primary culprits during this phrase.

Phase Two – Frozen phase:

This stage occurs between three to twelve months after symptoms have kicked into gear.

Those joint-capsular contents I previously mentioned continue making difficult for external rotation!

Pain should let up somewhat but your shoulder will definite feel full-on locked.

Phase Three- Thawing phase:

Takes five six months and has seen pronounced increased range-of-motion return

Treatment

Now obviously inquiring minds want to know how best treat adhesive capsulitis… Well so do we!

1) Cold therapy.

Using a pack of ice wrapped around your affected shoulder can help reduce inflammation whilst also feeling oddly refreshing if placed near weird places such as underneath armpit or holding hand on back.

2) Medication.

Sometimes doctors recommend using medication varying from over-the-counter pain relievers can incorporate blood thinners.

3) Physiotherapy/ gentle exercises (as recommended by medical practitioner).

Some great examples includes PT-assisted stretches/seated rows developing mobility alongside strength training .

4) Surgery (if non-operative means don’t work) High-grade manipulations fall under this section! :six_pointed_star:

Oh goodness, It appears We’ve reached the end of our journey thus far ..but remember whether you call it adhesive capsulitis, frozen syndrome – remember the good news is; It can and will thaw in six to two years! In the meantime, why not start a quilt or marathon Breaking Bag before it becomes gauche.
farewell my fellow polio-stricken bretheren!

xo

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