[메디컬투데이=김준수 기자] Adhesive capsulitis, commonly called frozen shoulder, refers to a disease in which the joint capsule that surrounds the joint like a pouch undergoes degenerative changes and becomes thick and fibrotic, causing pain. As the name suggests, it is a common disease in middle-aged people in their 50s, and the characteristic of frozen shoulder is that there is no specific cause. However, recently, due to various causes such as long-time smartphone use, computer work, and injuries caused by excessive exercise such as golf or tennis, it is a disease that needs attention regardless of age, as it has been expanding to younger people.
The most common symptom of frozen shoulder is pain in the shoulder and arm. Extreme pain occurs when lifting or rotating the arm, limiting the range of activity, and especially at night, the pain intensifies, causing sleep disorders. If left unattended, it can reduce the range of movement of the shoulder and make it difficult to do simple daily activities such as combing hair or buttoning the back of clothes. Therefore, it is important to receive prompt treatment after an accurate diagnosis.
The treatment method for frozen shoulder varies depending on the stage of progression or the patient’s symptoms. In the early stage, it can be improved with manual therapy, exercise therapy, drug therapy, and injection therapy. Inflammation and pain can be reduced through drug treatment and injection treatment, and pain reduction and symptom improvement can be expected by increasing the range of motion of the shoulder joint and strengthening the shoulder muscles by combining manual therapy and exercise therapy.
▲ Director Choong-Ho Lee (Photo = Provided by Korea Daon Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic)
In particular, in the case of manual therapy and exercise therapy among non-surgical treatment methods, it not only relieves pain by releasing the adherent fascia, but also corrects distorted joints, spine, and stiff muscles, so that the effect of improving body imbalance can be expected.
Lee Choong-ho, director of Korea Daon Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic, said, “The reason why frozen shoulders are neglected is that over time, the stiff shoulders naturally loosen and the symptoms are alleviated, so many people think that it will heal naturally if left alone.” In this case, as the range of motion of the shoulder decreases and the pain worsens at the same time, surgical treatment may be required, so promptly conducting accurate diagnosis and treatment by professional medical staff in the early stage of symptoms is a shortcut to prevent chronicity,” he advised.
Reporter Kim Junsu of Medical Today (junsoo@mdtoday.co.kr)
[저작권자ⓒ 메디컬투데이. 무단전재-재배포 금지]
2023-08-08 08:09:32
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