York, ME (207) 363 3490 | Portsmouth, NH (603) 431 1121

20Hip Care
10Hip-Conditions and Injuries
Cartilage Injury
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Gluteal Tears
Hamstring Tears
Hip Instability
Deep Gluteal Space Syndrome
Labral Tears
Psoas Impingement (Internal Snapping Hip)
PVNS
Trochanteric Bursitis
10Hip-Treatment and Surgeries
Acetabuloplasty
Chondroplasty
Femoroplasty
Gluteal Repair
Labral Debridement
Labral Reconstruction
Labral Repair
Nanofracture
Psoas Release
Trochanteric Bursa Debridement
33Knee Care
13Knee Conditions and Injuries
ACL Tear
Cartilage Injury
Discoid Meniscus
Lateral Meniscus Tear
LCL Injury
MCL Injury
Medial Meniscus Tear
Osteoarthritis
Osteochondritis Dessicans
Patellar Instability
Patellofemoral Chondromalacia
Posterolateral Corner Injury
Trochlear Dysplasia
20Knee Treatment and Surgeries
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction
Cartilage Restoration Surgery – Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI-Carticel)
Cartilage Restoration Surgery – Donor Graft
Collagen Meniscal Implant (CMI)
Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Reconstruction
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Reconstruction
Meniscus Repair
Meniscus Root Repair
Meniscal Transplant
Medial Patellofemoral Ligament (MPFL) Reconstruction
Nanofracture
Osteochondral Allograft Transfer
Osteochondral Autograft Transfer (OATS)
Partial Knee Replacement (MAKO)
Partial Meniscectomy
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Reconstruction
Posterolateral Corner (PLC) Surgery
Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy
Total Knee Replacement (MAKO)
Trochleoplasty
20Shoulder Care
10Shoulder-Conditions and Injuries
AC Joint Injuries
Arthritis
Biceps Tendon Injuries
Calcific Tendinitis
Clavicle Fractures
Frozen Shoulder
Labral and SLAP Tears
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Shoulder Dislocation/Instability
Subacromial Impingement/Busitis
10Shoulder-Treatment and Surgeries
A-C Joint Stabilization
Biceps Tenodesis
Clavicle Fracture Fixation
Pectoralis Major Repair
Rotator Cuff Repair
Shoulder Instability Surgery – Bankart Repair
Shoulder Instability Surgery – Latarjet Procedure
Subacromial Decompression and Acromioplasty
Superior Capsular Reconstruction
Total Shoulder Replacement

FROZEN SHOULDER (Adhesive Capsulitis)

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body. Activities of daily living, including dressing, working, and reaching, require an extensive amount of range of motion. Stiffness in the shoulder can lead to significant difficulty performing daily activities. Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) leads to a significant loss of motion in the shoulder. There are two types of frozen shoulder:

  • Primary adhesive capsulitis: this condition occurs gradually and without injury. Over time, patients start to notice increasing pain and stiffness in the shoulder. Usually, the underlying cause is unknown. In other patients, the cause may be related to an endocrine condition, such as diabetes or a thyroid condition, or other medical condition.
  • Secondary adhesive capsulitis: secondary adhesive capsulitis occurs when shoulder stiffness and pain is caused by a known injury or insult to the shoulder. For example, previous surgery, a humerus fracture, or a labral or rotator cuff tear may lead to a very stiff, painful shoulder.

Symptoms

  • Sharp pain in the front of the shoulder
  • Difficulty rotating the shoulder or elevating the shoulder overhead

Diagnosis And Treatment

Dr. Welch considers each patient’s symptoms, as well as a detailed physical examination to make the diagnosis of frozen shoulder. Frozen shoulder has three distinct phases: the freezing phase, the frozen phase, and the thawing phase. During the freezing phase, the shoulder is very painful and stiff. Any overhead motion or rotatory motion may lead to significant pain. During the frozen phase, the shoulder is much less painful; however it is still very stiff, and patients have difficulty performing normal activities, such as dressing and working. During the thawing phase, patients regain their motion. Most patients recover most or all of their motion over time without surgical intervention. However, it may take months, and on occasion, over one year to regain all motion.

Most patients with a frozen shoulder can be treated successfully without surgery with a dedicated physical therapy program that helps focus on restoring range of motion. Dr. Welch also usually recommends an ultrasound-guided steroid injection into the shoulder joint. A steroid injection helps reduce the swelling and inflammation inside the shoulder so that the patient may progress with physical therapy.

Surgery is rarely required for patients who have a frozen shoulder. If surgery is necessary, Dr. Welch performs a minimally invasive, arthroscopic procedure in which he releases the inflamed capsule of the shoulder. The capsule is a group of ligaments (fibrous tissue) that surrounds the shoulder joint and keeps it stable. In those patients with a frozen shoulder, the capsule is inflamed and scarred. By releasing the scarred tissue, Dr. Welch can help patients regain motion in the shoulder.

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