Frozen Shoulder Treatment at Minimally Invasive Surgical Solutions (MISS)

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. Over time, the shoulder’s range of motion becomes severely restricted, impacting daily activities such as reaching, lifting, and even dressing. While the exact cause is not always known, frozen shoulder often develops following injury, surgery, or periods of immobility, and it can take months or even years to fully recover without treatment.

At Minimally Invasive Surgical Solutions (MISS), our interventional radiologist offers advanced, minimally invasive treatments to relieve the pain and stiffness of frozen shoulder, allowing you to regain mobility faster and with less downtime than traditional surgical methods.

Frozen shoulder typically develops in three stages:

1. Freezing Stage: Gradual onset of shoulder pain that worsens over time, accompanied by increasing stiffness and restricted motion.
2. Frozen Stage: Pain may subside slightly, but the shoulder remains stiff and movement is significantly limited.
3. Thawing Stage: Slow improvement in range of motion as the shoulder begins to recover.

Frozen shoulder can greatly affect your quality of life, making everyday tasks challenging. Early intervention can help prevent prolonged discomfort and stiffness.

At MISS, diagnosing frozen shoulder begins with a thorough examination of your shoulder’s mobility and function. Our interventional radiologist will also review your medical history and any previous injuries or surgeries that may have contributed to the condition. Imaging tests, such as an MRI or ultrasound, may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other potential causes of shoulder pain, such as rotator cuff tears or arthritis.

Our interventional radiologist specializes in minimally invasive treatments that help reduce pain and inflammation, improving your shoulder’s range of motion without the need for invasive surgery. Treatment plans are tailored to each individual, ensuring the most effective and least disruptive approach to recovery.

Initial treatment for frozen shoulder often involves:

• Physical therapy: Specific exercises to gently stretch the shoulder and improve mobility.
• Pain management: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications may be recommended to reduce discomfort.
• Steroid injections: Corticosteroid injections can provide targeted relief from inflammation and pain, improving mobility in the early stages of frozen shoulder.

For patients who do not experience sufficient relief with conservative methods, MISS offers a variety of minimally invasive procedures, performed by our interventional radiologist:

1. Hydrodilatation (Distension Arthrography)

   • This procedure involves injecting a sterile solution into the shoulder joint under image guidance, which gently expands the joint capsule, breaking up adhesions and improving range of motion. Hydrodilatation is highly effective in reducing stiffness and is typically done on an outpatient basis, with little to no recovery time.

2. Ultrasound-Guided Steroid Injections

   • Using advanced imaging technology, the interventional radiologist can accurately target the inflamed areas of the shoulder joint with corticosteroid injections, providing more precise relief than traditional injection methods. This helps reduce inflammation and pain, enhancing physical therapy outcomes.

3. Nerve Blocks

   • For patients with significant pain, a suprascapular nerve block may be administered. This involves using ultrasound guidance to deliver anesthetic medication to the nerves supplying the shoulder, providing immediate and lasting pain relief. This treatment allows patients to engage more effectively in physical therapy to regain mobility.

4. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

   • PRP therapy involves injecting a concentration of the patient’s own platelets into the shoulder joint to promote healing and reduce inflammation. This regenerative treatment enhances the body’s natural repair mechanisms and can be particularly effective in the frozen and thawing stages of the condition.

5. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

   • For chronic pain associated with frozen shoulder, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may be used to deactivate specific nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals from the shoulder joint. This minimally invasive procedure provides lasting pain relief, enabling improved movement and rehabilitation.

At Minimally Invasive Surgical Solutions, our interventional radiologists are experts in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions like frozen shoulder. We prioritize:

• Precision and safety: Utilizing state-of-the-art imaging technology to perform accurate, targeted treatments.
• Minimally invasive techniques: Offering effective options that reduce recovery time and minimize discomfort.
• Personalized care plans: Developing treatment strategies based on each patient’s unique condition and needs.
• Faster recovery: Helping patients regain shoulder mobility more quickly than with traditional surgical approaches.

If you’re struggling with frozen shoulder and seeking a less invasive path to recovery, our team at MISS is here to help. Contact us today by calling (408) 918-0405 to schedule a consultation and learn how our innovative, minimally invasive treatments can restore your shoulder’s function and improve your quality of life.