Ask the Sports Doc: Frozen shoulder

Manish Patel

Published Tuesday, July 21, 2009

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 loss in the motion around the shoulder in all directions 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. I actually give two injections in the shoulder in different locations and also start therapy that day. Over 90 percent of patients resolve their symptoms within 1-2 months. The rest may require gentle manipulation before getting better.

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 biceps 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.

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