Frozen shoulder can be painful

Published 9:06 am Friday, October 22, 2010

GA asks: I am a diabetic female recently diagnosed with a “frozen shoulder.” I am having a lot of pain when I move my shoulder. I can’t play any sports let alone do some of the basic things with my shoulder. What is the time frame that this will get better and what are my options?

Dr. Patel writes: Frozen shoulder can be very painful. Frozen shoulder is when the capsule around the shoulder joint thickens and tightens up. This causes a dramatic lose in the motion around the shoulder in all direction and in turn can cause inflammation of the capsule and the rotator cuff.

Most people with frozen shoulder can get better with conservative treatment. If left untreated, it may take up to 18 months for the motion to come back to normal.

My recommendation would be for a cortisone injection and aggressive physical therapy.

SQ asks: I have been diagnosed with a partial biceps tear (50 percent) in my elbow from an MRI. I injured it during a bowling game, and now I am having pain for the past two months. Do I need surgery to get better?

Dr. Patel writes: A bicep tear in the elbow in an active individual needs to be repaired if you want to maintain strength in that elbow. A partial tear, if painful, needs to be repaired.

If not addressed, it may lead to a complete rupture and also loss of strength. If a complete tear is left untreated, a deformity may form on that arm and may also result in weakness. I would recommend surgery to get it repaired.

Dr. Manish Patel has extensive training in treating shoulder, elbow and knee injuries, and performing arthroscopic surgery. He is the principal medical practitioner in the offices of Southampton Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center. Submit questions for this column to sports@tidewaternews.com, or call Patel at 562-7301.