Jenna (real name changed), woke up one morning with extreme pain in her right shoulder. Though in excruciating pain, she chalked it up to poor sleeping posture. She applied some analgesic gel and proceeded with her day as usual. However, the pain continued to persist and it was beginning to affect her sleep. “There were days when I couldn’t sleep because of the intense shoulder pain, and on the days I managed to fall asleep I invariably woke up with stiff shoulders,” remembers Jenna. As Jenna struggled to carry out trivial tasks like using her computer and combing her hair, life became challenging. She reached a stage where every movement had to be calculated to avoid aggravating the pain in her shoulder. 

When she went to the doctor, she was told she was arthritic and was given medications as well as exercises to do. However, it did not alleviate her pain, and at times seemed to aggravate it. She learned about Dr. Banarji B.H. at Dr. Banarji Shoulder Center in Bengaluru from a friend who had similar symptoms and decided to consult him.

Upon physical examination of Jenna, Dr. Banarji realized that Jenna was suffering from frozen shoulder/adhesive capsulitis. “In many ways, a frozen shoulder is a mysterious condition. "The precise underlying cause of the condition has yet to be identified," says Dr. Banarji. There are multiple risk factors associated with the development of frozen shoulders. these include immobilization of the shoulder joint as a result of injury, stroke, fractures, or systemic diseases like diabetes, thyroid disorders, etc. 

Dr. Banarji explained to Jenna that a frozen shoulder develops in three stages: freezing, frozen, and thawing. Jenna was in the freezing stage, which explained her excruciating pain. Though most cases of frozen shoulders resolve on their own, it is usually a painful process that can last anywhere from 1-3 years. "I wasn't prepared to suffer for that long and hope that the shoulder pain and immobility would fade gradually," Jenna says.

Dr. Banarji began treatment with medication to relieve pain and physical therapy to improve the shoulder’s range of motion. He also put her on steroid injections to help her cope with the pain and perform the exercises more effectively. "Dr. Banarji told me that if my symptoms persisted despite medications and physical therapy, I could always have surgery. However, I did not want to get to that point and hoped that my pain would go away soon," Jenna says. Jenna gradually noticed improvements in her symptoms. Within 6 months, she could move her arms freely and the pain had subsided to the point where she could sleep soundly. 

"Adhesive capsulitis/frozen shoulder is frequently misdiagnosed as arthritis or rotator cuff injury. Though all of these conditions affect the shoulder and can cause pain, they have different effects on the range of motion. As a result, it is critical that you consult with an expert who can distinguish between them in order to receive the appropriate treatment," advises Dr. Banarji. Visiting an expert will help one avoid years of pain and ensure that the condition does not progress to a stage that will require surgical intervention.

CONTACT US 

Dr. Banarji Shoulder Center

3/4, 8th Main (Water Tank Road), CHBS Layout, Vijayanagar, Bangalore - 560 040.
Emergency: 9731274396

Appointment Mob:7760659606,  +91 78297 23606

Email:drbanarji@orthobangalore.com