Frozen Shoulder Treatment in
Dubai

Frozen Shoulder Facts

  • Frozen shoulder affects approximately 2% to 5% of the general population.
  • It is most common in individuals aged 40 to 60 years old.
  • Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, and cardiovascular disease increase the risk of developing a frozen shoulder.
  • While frozen shoulder can be debilitating, it is treatable with various interventions, including physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and in some cases, surgery.

Our orthopedic doctor, Dr. Hesham Al-Khateeb, has been offering well-guided frozen shoulder treatment in Dubai that has helped many individuals experience significant improvement in symptoms and restoration of shoulder mobility.

Frozen Shoulder Treatment in Dubai - Dr Hesham Al Khateeb

Understanding Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by restricted movement in the shoulder joint. Typically, individuals experience a gradual onset of pain and stiffness, which progresses over time before eventually resolving.

However, prolonged immobility of the shoulder heightens the likelihood of developing frozen shoulder, which may occur following surgery or arm injury. Treatment for frozen shoulder pain typically entails range-of-motion exercises, occasionally complemented by corticosteroid and anesthetic injections into the affected joint. In some cases, arthroscopic surgery may be necessary to loosen the joint capsule, facilitating improved mobility.

While recurrence of frozen shoulder in the same shoulder is uncommon, some individuals may develop it in the opposite shoulder, typically within a five-year timeframe.

Anatomy of the shoulder

The shoulder comprises three bones: the upper arm bone (humerus), the shoulder blade (scapula), and the collarbone (clavicle). The upper arm bone’s head fits into a shallow socket in the shoulder blade. Enveloping the joint is the shoulder capsule, a robust connective tissue.

Facilitating smoother shoulder movement, synovial fluid lubricates both the shoulder capsule and the joint.

In cases of frozen shoulder, the shoulder capsule undergoes thickening and tightening, leading to restricted movement. Scar tissue bands develop, reducing the presence of synovial fluid, essential for joint lubrication, exacerbating the limitation in shoulder motion.

The term “frozen” shoulder stems from the phenomenon wherein increased pain prompts decreased shoulder usage. Consequently, as shoulder movement declines, the shoulder capsule thickens further, compounding the difficulty in movement and rendering the shoulder feel immobilized.

Causes of Frozen Shoulder

The exact reason for Frozen Shoulder is unknown, but it has been observed that this condition develops when the capsule enveloping a connective tissue of the shoulder joint undergoes thickening and tightening, impeding its mobility.

The exact cause of this phenomenon remains uncertain. However, it is commonly associated with prolonged shoulder immobilization, such as following surgery or an arm fracture.

Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder

You want to visit our frozen shoulder specialist in Dubai if you encounter the following symptoms at various stages:

Freezing stage:

  • Experience pain in the shoulder with movement, occasionally severe.
  • Gradually exacerbates, potentially intensifying during nighttime.
  • Notice limitation in shoulder mobility.
  • Typically persists for a duration of 6-9 months.

Frozen stage:

  • Pain may alleviate, yet stiffness intensifies.
  • Difficulty in shoulder movement increases, hindering daily activities.
  • Generally spans a period of 4-12 months.

Thawing stage:

  • Range of motion gradually returns to its normal state.
  • Duration may vary, ranging from 5 months to 2 years.

Diagnosis

There isn’t a specific test solely for frozen shoulder diagnosis. However, our frozen shoulder doctor in Dubai will conduct a physical examination, observing your arm movements to assess pain levels. They may manipulate your shoulder to observe any limitations. An injection test might be performed, where an anesthetic is injected into the shoulder to numb it, aiding in assessing the range of motion.

Typically, a physical examination suffices for diagnosing frozen shoulder. But sometimes, imaging tests like X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI might be ordered to rule out alternative issues such as arthritis or a torn rotator cuff.

Frozen Shoulder Treatment

Typically, a frozen shoulder tends to improve spontaneously over time, even without intervention. 

However, when it comes to frozen shoulder treatment in Dubai, when symptoms persist for a very long time, various options may be recommended by our doctor:

  • Corticosteroid injection: Administering a corticosteroid injection directly into the shoulder joint to alleviate pain and enhance range of motion.
  • Joint distension: This procedure involves injecting sterile water into the shoulder capsule to stretch it, facilitating easier movement of the shoulder.
  • Physical therapy: Although commonly employed for frozen shoulder, its effectiveness may vary. It may be more beneficial during specific phases of frozen shoulder progression.
  • Medication: Over-the-counter NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can help mitigate shoulder pain and inflammation. If these prove ineffective, prescription-strength medication may be prescribed.
  • Hot/cold compression packs: Alternating between applying heat and cold to the shoulder can alleviate pain and swelling. Warm compresses boost blood flow to the inflamed area, while cold compresses decrease blood flow, reducing swelling and pain.
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Surgical Intervention

Our surgeon may go ahead with Capsular Release surgery to treat the condition in case your your frozen shoulder hasn’t responded to other forms of treatment.

Capsular Release is conducted through a minimally invasive surgical approach, typically under local or general anesthesia. In the case of local anesthesia, the affected area will be numbed, and a sedative may be administered for relaxation. Three small incisions are made in the shoulder, through which an arthroscope and additional instruments are inserted. The arthroscope contains a camera enabling the surgeon to visualize the interior of the shoulder joint.

After evaluating the shoulder’s condition, the surgeon utilizes the additional instrument to cut through tight capsular tissues surrounding the joint. Radiofrequency waves may be employed to cauterize the tissue, reducing the risk of bleeding. The incision sites are then closed with sutures. Adequate pain management will be provided, and postoperative physiotherapy will be recommended to aid in rehabilitation and restore full shoulder movement.

Suffering from a bad Frozen Shoulder condition?
Get in touch with the best frozen shoulder specialist in Dubai-
Dr. Hesham Al-Khateeb

If you’re struggling with the debilitating effects of Frozen Shoulder, don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Hesham Al-Khateeb, the foremost specialist in treating this condition. With his expertise and personalized approach to care, he is dedicated to helping patients overcome Frozen Shoulder and regain mobility and comfort in their daily lives. For the best frozen shoulder treatment in Dubai, Dr. Hesham’s comprehensive and compassionate care is your ideal choice.

Contact Dr. Hesham for frozen shoulder treatment in Dubai today to take the first step towards finding relief and restoring function to your shoulder.

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