This common phenomenon is caused by inflammation of the shoulder tendons, but can also occur for no apparent reason. A frozen shoulder leads to painful and long-lasting complaints, such as pain when moving and stiffness. Stop walking around with the complaints and make an appointment with OrthoDirect. A specialized shoulder orthopedic surgeon can help you quickly get rid of your complaints.
Orthopedic surgeons specialized in frozen shoulder treatments
- Get rid of your complaints quickly: no waiting times
- Treatments are always reimbursed by the health insurance
- Personal treatment plan: we take time for each patient
- Ultrasound and infiltration immediately during the first appointment
- Close consultation with your treating physiotherapist
- Orthopedic surgeon directly on the phone
Let your frozen shoulder be treated effectively by the orthopedic surgeon of OrthoDirect. We do not use waiting times. In most cases, you can contact us on the same day. Contact us by phone or schedule your appointment online.
035 622 8329 Make an appointment
Cause of frozen shoulder
The most common cause of frozen shoulder is inflammation of the shoulder tendons. This causes a thickening of the joint capsule so that there is less space to move. The inflammation in the joint capsule can also be caused by an accident or can occur spontaneously. Unfortunately, determining the cause of a frozen shoulder is not always possible.
A frozen shoulder occurs in 2 to 5 percent of the Dutch population. Women are slightly more likely to suffer from it than men. The age at which frozen shoulder most often occurs is between the ages of 40 and 60. People with diabetes, thyroid disease, or Dupuytren’s disease are more likely to develop a frozen shoulder.
Symptoms of a Frozen Shoulder
A frozen shoulder is often recognized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder that persists for a long time.
We divide the symptoms associated with a frozen shoulder into three phases. It takes one to three years to go through the phases: Phase 1: lasts 2 to 9 months.
Phase 1: lasts 2 to 9 months
- Nagging, pressing pain in the shoulder that radiates to the upper arm.
- Pain worsens at night, disturbed sleep.
- Increasing stiffness of the shoulder
- Beginning range of motion.
Phase 2: lasts 4 to 12 months
- The pain decreases, especially when the shoulder joint is used little.
- Movement restriction worsens.
Phase 3: lasts 12 to 36 months
- Stiffness remains present
- The limitation of movement gradually disappears
- Pain gradually decreases
In most cases of frozen shoulder, the majority of the complaints disappear on their own within one to three years. Are you not having your frozen shoulder treated? Then it is possible that the freedom of movement never fully recovers. Let your frozen shoulder be treated by a specialized shoulder orthopedic surgeon so that the complaints decrease and the recovery process will be less uncomfortable.
Reason for treatment of a frozen shoulder by OrthoDirect?
Nowadays patients with a frozen shoulders want to get rid of their complaints as quickly as possible. It is not desirable to endure the pain until the frozen shoulder goes away on its own. At OrthoDirect we want to make the recovery process as comfortable as possible for you. That is why in most cases we proceed with an operation after 6 to 9 months. Of course, we only do this if physiotherapy or injection has already been tried. Our approach differs from other clinics. Read more about how we work below.
The treatment
The shoulder orthopedic surgeon will investigate you and will discuss with you the tailor-made treatment. During the first consultation, the shoulder orthopedic surgeon can immediately perform an ultrasound examination or give a pain-relieving injection using ultrasound. Depending on the complaints, the shoulder orthopedic surgeon, together with you and the physiotherapist, determines the most effective treatment. We distinguish two methods in which we can treat a frozen shoulder: conservatively and surgically.
Conservative treatment of a frozen shoulder
Frozen shoulder will go away on its own within three years. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the symptoms. In the first phase, there is often a lot of pain. It is then possible to give an injection with Cortisone into the joint. The injection helps to reduce the pain and it can increase the range of motion. The injection is given by a specialized shoulder orthopedic surgeon, possibly using ultrasound examination. If the injection does not help, you can be referred to a pain doctor. This numbs one or two nerves around your shoulder to reduce the pain. However, this is not possible in all cases. The practitioner will advise you on appropriate treatment.
In the second phase, physiotherapy can help to reduce the additional complaints.
Surgical treatment of a frozen shoulder
Do the symptoms of frozen shoulder last for a longer period? When physiotherapy or a pain-relieving injection does not help, the shoulder orthopedic surgeon will discuss with you the option of surgery. This depends, among other things, on your work and sports activities. A capsular release is performed via keyhole surgery. The shoulder surgeon loosens the capsule in the shoulder joint, including the coracohumeral ligament, which increases the freedom of movement.
Compensation
During the first consultation, the shoulder orthopedic surgeon will inform you about the costs. The costs are reimbursed, except the deductible. OrthoDirect accepts all health insurance plans. For more information about the costs, please refer to our page about rates.
What can I do myself to repair a frozen shoulder?
The complaints caused by your frozen shoulder will largely disappear over time. That will take a long time, however. We always advise you to have your frozen shoulder treated by an expert.
In addition to the treatments at the orthopedic surgeon, you can do additional stretching and strength exercises. The practitioner may also recommend painkillers, such as aspirin or ibuprofen. If necessary, your practitioner can recommend stronger painkillers or anti-inflammatories.
Let your frozen shoulder be treated at OrthoDirect
Suffering from a frozen shoulder? Start treatment. We draw up a personal treatment plan. Thanks to the collaboration with physiotherapists, we ensure faster and better treatment. Surgical treatment can often be useful for you. Contact us or make an appointment directly via the buttons below.
035 622 8329 Make an appointment