Adhesive Capulitis

Adhesive Capulitis is a condition that affects the lining of the shoulder joint, mostly affecting middle-aged people. The cause of this condition is unknown, though there is a fairly common theory that this is triggered from a viral infection. People with diabetes are more prone to this infection, and recovery time is longer in such cases.

This disease goes through three distinct phases:

• The inflammatory phase - wherein the lining of the shoulder becomes heavily inflamed, typically becoming very painful especially during the nighttime. Ultrasound application in this stage is extremely helpful for reducing the inflammaton levels and alleviating pain.
• After approximately six months, the inflammation reduces moving the patient into the scarring phase. The lining becomes scarred and when arm movement is attempted, sharp pains are experienced as the newly formed scar tissue is stretched. Ultrasound application in this stage will soften the scar tissue, helping minimize the sharp pains occuring during movement, and speeding the recovery process. This will last about six months as well.
• The recovery phase. In this phase, scarring is eventually broken down and movement slowly returns, usually taking about 12 months to complete.

Generally, the condition is considered to last over a 2 year span though there are times when recovery lasts much longer.

The level of pain a person will experience in the inflammatory stage varies widely. Some people experience only small amounts of discomfort, while others experience a debilitating level of pain that alters their daily activities. If ultrasound application is begun quickly, the symptoms of the condition can be reduced, and recovery time shortened. Treatment will vary depending on the stage in which a suffer of adhesive capulitis will see a specialist, though physical therapy and steroid injections are common. As a last resort, surgery is also a good treatment

The most common cause of an tendon inflammation (tenosynovitis or tendonitis) is overuse of the affected tendon. Rest of the affected tendon is all that is required in some cases. Other treatments such as anti-inflammatory drugs or a steroid injection are sometimes needed. Infection of a tendon is an uncommon cause but needs treatment with antibiotics if it occurs.

What is tenosynovitis and tendonitis?

* Tendonitis means inflammation of a tendon. (It is sometimes spelled as tendinitis.)
* Tenosynovitis means inflammation of the sheath that surrounds a tendon (the sheath is called the synovium). Tenosynovitis can be caused by calcium deposits, repeated strain or trauma, high levels of blood cholesterol, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or gonorrhea.
These two conditions often occur together.

Never use Ultrasound over an area injected with a steroid (ie. cortisone) for at least 30 days.

Never use Ultrasound after surgery until your physician recommends and approves of it.