IT’S FREEZING! LET’S TALK FROZEN SHOULDER
Ever wake up in Calgary, ready to tackle your day, only to realize your shoulder has decided to turn into an iceberg? It’s like your body thought, ‘Hey, it’s winter, let’s start hibernating early!’ But trust us, frozen shoulder doesn’t have to be part of your long winter nap.What is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is a well-known yet relatively rare condition, making up only 5% of all shoulder issues. So why is it one of the most Googled shoulder conditions? Simply put—it’s incredibly painful and significantly limits movement. And as physiotherapists, we can tell you that it’s also quite challenging to treat.
What Causes Frozen Shoulder?
There are two main types:
Secondary Frozen Shoulder: Develops after trauma, such as surgery, a fracture, or a stroke.
Primary Frozen Shoulder: Occurs without an obvious cause.
Who is at Risk?
People Aged 40-60 – Most common in this age group, especially over 50.
People with Diabetes – Up to 20% of diabetics may develop frozen shoulder.
Individuals with Certain Medical Conditions – Thyroid disorders, heart disease, and Parkinson’s can increase risk.
Genetic Factors – More common in people of European descent, especially those of Scandinavian origin.
How is Frozen Shoulder Diagnosed?
Pain & Stiffness: Often felt at the deltoid insertion, with night pain sometimes being worse.
Loss of Movement:
Early stage: Limited external rotation in a neutral position.
Later stages: Loss of flexion and abduction as well.
X-ray results should be normal.
Notice how Kelly’s arm is limited in its ability to rotate outward (external rotation) at the shoulder. A typical range of motion would allow the arm to rotate further away from the body, but in a frozen shoulder, this movement is significantly restricted.