My Trips to the Hospital

If you have recently been diagnosed with a condition known as adhesive capsulitis (also sometimes referred to as frozen shoulder), you may find yourself wondering what you can and should do to overcome the condition. Because frozen shoulder can so greatly affect your range of motion and ability to use your arm and shoulder in general, you do not want to let the issue continue untreated. There are numerous ways that you can go about treating your adhesive capsulitis. Get to know some of these different options so that you can be sure that you get the treatment you want and need to overcome your frozen shoulder and get back to your regular life.

Over-The-Counter Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

One of the first lines of treatment for adhesive capsulitis is the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that are available over-the-counter. These medications serve to reduce the severe inflammation in the shoulder joint and can help with the pain and discomfort that are associated with frozen shoulder. Some examples of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include aspirin and ibuprofen. 

Steroid Injections

If over-the-counter medications prove to be ineffective, then the next step up is to try prescription steroids. These are most often administered as injections directly to the shoulder area to make them most effective for the frozen shoulder condition.

Steroid injections may be administered by a physician that specializes in medical orthopedics, or they may be administered by your primary care physician. These are often given at weekly intervals and can take several treatments before they become noticeably effective.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is another possible treatment option for adhesive capsulitis that can help to prevent the complete locking up of the shoulder joint. This process involves regular stretches and strength-building exercises for flexibility and suppleness in the shoulder joint and can work well along with medications to treat frozen shoulder.

Surgical Interventions

If over-the-counter medications and steroid injections along with physical therapy and exercise are not effective at treating the adhesive capsulitis, then the next step may be to use surgical interventions. An orthopedic surgeon can remove inflamed tissue from the shoulder joint to try to alleviate stiffness and discomfort in the joint. Shaving down the bones in the shoulder may also be an effective method of preventing friction and treating the inflammatory condition in the shoulder.

With these options in mind, you can best treat your adhesive capsulitis and start feeling better as soon as possible. For more information, contact a doctor like Soloway Stephen MD Arthritis & Rheumatology.