Why Your Shoulder Feels “Frozen”

Frozen Shoulder, medically known as Adhesive Capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint. It occurs when the connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint (the shoulder capsule) becomes thick, stiff, and inflamed.

At Metro Hospital, Noida, we see a high volume of cases from the local corporate sector and among diabetic patients in Delhi NCR. Under the expertise of Dr. Vishal Agrawal and Dr. Krishan K. Gupta, we offer a structured recovery program that transitions patients from extreme pain to full mobility.

The Three Stages of Frozen Shoulder

Unlike a sudden injury, a frozen shoulder typically develops in three distinct stages, each lasting several months.

1. The Freezing Stage: Any movement of your shoulder causes pain, and the shoulder’s range of motion starts to become limited. Pain often worsens at night, making sleep difficult for many Noida residents.
2. The Frozen Stage: Pain may begin to diminish during this stage. However, the shoulder becomes even stiffer, and using it becomes increasingly difficult.
3. The Thawing Stage: Shoulder movement gradually begins to improve.

Why Is This Common in Noida & Delhi NCR?

While anyone can develop a frozen shoulder, certain factors make the population in Noida more susceptible:

• Diabetes: People living with diabetes are about 20% more likely to experience frozen shoulder. At Metro Hospital, we provide integrated care for diabetic patients.

• Post-Surgical Immobility: Residents recovering from other surgeries (like cardiac surgery) who keep their arm still for long periods are at high risk.
• Desk Jobs: Poor ergonomics in the IT hubs of Noida Sector 62 and 125 can lead to shoulder strain that eventually contributes to stiffness.

Effective Physiotherapy: The First Line of Defense

The “Gold Standard” for treating frozen shoulder is a dedicated physiotherapy regimen. Our team, supported by Dr. Punit Dilawari and Dr. Shivanshu Mittal, focuses on these specific exercises:

1. Pendulum Stretch

Relax your shoulder muscles. Lean forward and allow your affected arm to hang vertically. Move the arm in slow, small circles—about dinner-plate size. Do 10 rotations clockwise and 10 counter-clockwise, once a day.

2. Finger Ladder / Wall Crawl

Stand facing a wall at about three-quarters of an arm’s length distance. Rest the fingertips of your affected arm on the wall, keeping them at waist level. Keeping a slight bend in your elbow, slowly walk your fingers upward until you raise your arm as high as comfortably possible.

3. Towel Stretch

Place a three-foot-long towel behind your back, holding one end with each hand. Use your unaffected arm to slowly pull the injured arm upward for a gentle stretch.

Advanced Medical Treatments at Metro Hospital

When physiotherapy alone isn’t enough, our specialists, including Dr. Abhishek Sharma, utilize advanced medical interventions to speed up recovery.

1. Joint Injections

Corticosteroid injections into the shoulder joint can help decrease pain and improve shoulder mobility, especially in the early stages.

2. Hydrodilatation

This is a specialized procedure where our doctors inject a controlled amount of sterile liquid into the shoulder joint to stretch the capsule. This “unsticks” the joint from the inside, providing immediate relief from stiffness.

3. Shoulder Manipulation Under Anesthesia

If the shoulder is severely “stuck,” we perform a procedure where the patient is put to sleep, and the doctor manually moves the shoulder to break up the scar tissue.

4. Arthroscopic Capsular Release

For the most stubborn cases, we use Minimally Invasive (Key-hole) Surgery. Using a tiny camera and specialized tools, we cut through the tight portions of the joint capsule. This procedure is highly successful and is performed at Metro Hospital with world-class surgical technology.

Why Choose Metro Hospital for Shoulder Care?

• Specialized Shoulder Clinic: We don’t just treat general orthopaedics; we have dedicated protocols for shoulder joint preservation.
• Integrated Rehab: Our physiotherapy center is equipped with advanced modalities like IFT, Ultrasound, and Laser Therapy to complement your exercises.
• Expert Surgeons: Our doctors have extensive experience in treating joint conditions through both non-surgical care and minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery.
• Location Advantage: Centrally located in Noida Sector 11, making it accessible for patients from Delhi, Indirapuram, and Greater Noida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How long does it take to recover from a Frozen Shoulder? Without treatment, it can take 1 to 3 years. However, with the right physiotherapy and medical intervention at Metro Hospital, most patients see significant improvement within 6 to 12 weeks.

Q2: Can I drive with a Frozen Shoulder? In the “Frozen” stage, driving can be dangerous as your range of motion is limited. We recommend consulting our specialists before getting behind the wheel.

Q3: Is Frozen Shoulder surgery painful? Our Arthroscopic Capsular Release is a minimally invasive procedure. Patients experience minimal discomfort and are usually back to their daily routine much faster than with traditional surgery.

Conclusion: Reclaim Your Range of Motion

Frozen shoulder can turn simple tasks—like dressing up or reaching for a shelf—into painful challenges. You don’t have to “wait it out.” At Metro Hospital, Noida, we provide the most advanced treatments to melt the ice and get you moving again.

Consult Noida’s Top Shoulder Specialists Today.