Individuals with arm paralysis from a stroke are at high risk for developing a frozen shoulder. This painful condition can significantly impact your overall quality of life. Improving your mobility can help you find relief so you can enjoy your favorite daily activities. Here are three treatments that can help improve mobility and reduce pain from a frozen shoulder after a stroke.
Physical Therapy
One of the best ways to treat frozen shoulder is to increase movement. Physical therapy stimulates the brain for movement to help reduce pain and improve mobility. Stroke patients with arm paralysis may find exercise difficult. There are passive range-of-motion exercises that can help promote sensation that exerts no effort in the target muscles. You can do these on our own or with the help of a physical therapist.
Electrical Stimulation
Electrical impulses delivered to the affected muscles may help improve mobility from a frozen shoulder after a stroke. During this treatment, special pads are placed on the targeted area. An electrical current is sent to the pads from a special device the user controls. This helps encourage muscle growth and boost blood flow to relax tense muscles and block pain signals from reaching the brain.
Combining physical therapy with electrical stimulation can be highly effective. Your physical therapist or medical professional can recommend the best products to use if you are interested in this treatment. If the shoulder has become partially dislocated, this treatment can improve shoulder alignment through increased muscle tone.
Frozen Shoulder Surgery
In severe cases of frozen shoulder after a stroke, surgery may be necessary to improve mobility and reduce pain. During the procedure, tight ligaments are dissected and scar tissue is removed. Patients may be able to achieve a total pain-free recovery in less than six months. This surgery is typically recommended only after other treatment options have proven ineffective.
Advanced Frozen Shoulder Treatment Solutions
If you have experienced a frozen shoulder after a stroke, seek medical help to improve your mobility. Dr. Steven Struhl specializes in advanced frozen shoulder treatment solutions to help improve your physical health and well-being. Call to schedule a consultation today.
Posted on behalf of Steven Struhl MD