February 2023 - DAPHCO - Medical Equipment

Shoulder pain is a common condition, with an estimated 20% of people experiencing it at some point. Frozen shoulder and rotator cuff tears are two major causes of severe pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility in the shoulders. In fact, rotator cuff tear alone affects 2 million people in the US. These two conditions are commonly confused, so by understanding frozen shoulder vs rotator cuff, you can be more adept at getting the right treatment.

In this article, we will compare and contrast frozen shoulder vs rotator cuff injuries, causes, symptoms, and best treatments including the use of braces, slings, and other methods.

Understanding Frozen Shoulder Vs Rotator Cuff Injuries

Anatomy of Shoulder

A human shoulder is made up of three bones: the clavicle (the collarbone), humerus (upper arm bone), and scapula (the shoulder blade). It’s a ball and socket joint- the ball of the humerus bone fits into a shallow socket in the scapula.

The rotator cuff consists of four muscles that form a covering around the head of the humerus. The rotator cuff connects the humerus (upper arm) to the scapula (shoulder blade).

What is a Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a medical condition characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. It occurs as a result of the thickening of capsule tissues that cover bones, ligaments, and tendons.

The thickening of the tissues resulting from inflammation restricts shoulder mobility. The term “frozen” in this context refers to immobility of the shoulder joint, not any drop in the temperature.

Causes of Frozen Shoulder

Major factors that contribute to the frozen shoulder include:

1. Should injury, fracture, or surgery
2. Should immobility for a long time
3. Age and gender – people between the ages 40-60, especially women are more likely to suffer from this condition
4. Other medical diseases/conditions such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson’s Disease, TB, and impingement syndrome may end up causing a frozen shoulder.

What is Rotator Cuff Tear?

The rotator cuff which consists of four muscles plays an important role in uplifting the arm. A rotator cuff tear occurs when any of the muscles get irritated or inflamed, often due to overuse or an injury.

The rotator cuff tear may be partial or complete. In a partial tear, a muscle is partially damaged and the person may recover with physical therapy. However, in a complete tear, the muscle is pulled off the bone completely, resulting in severe damage and extreme pain.

Causes of Rotator Cuff Tear

The following factors may contribute to a rotator cuff tear:

1. Acute injury, a sudden fall or compression
2. Age-related wear and tear
3. Heavy lifting

Frozen Shoulder Vs Rotator Cuff – What’s the Difference?

Frozen shoulder arises due to the thickening of the lining or capsule of the shoulder, which is an inflammatory process. While the rotator cuff, composed of the muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint, is different from the lining of the shoulder.
The symptoms of both these conditions often overlap but rotator cuff injuries or tears are typically less restrictive in terms of stiffness than a frozen shoulder.

If you experience shoulder pain, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider. He/she will examine your shoulder and make an accurate diagnosis of your condition.

Frozen Shoulder Vs Rotator Cuff – At-Home Remedies & Treatments

1. Exercises:

If you have shoulder pain, your healthcare provider may advise performing specific exercises to enhance your shoulder mobility. Depending on your condition, they may suggest seeing a physical therapist or performing these exercises independently. It is recommended to begin slowly and avoid overexertion. Let pain be your guide – if an exercise induces too much pain, try any other exercise or discontinue it. As pain reduces and mobility improves, gradually increase the intensity of exercises for better results.

In this video, an expert has explained some useful exercises to treat shoulder pain.

2. Steroids Injections and Medications

Steroids, also known as “glucocorticoids,” can alleviate frozen shoulder symptoms for several weeks to a few months when injected directly into the shoulder joint. Prescribing steroids in pill form is not common as it may have side effects, and injections are more effective. Hydrodilatation involves injecting the shoulder with saline and glucocorticoid, which expands the joint, providing short-term relief, but it is uncertain whether the relief is due to the steroid or joint dilation. It’s not always easy to administer injections in the joint accurately so make sure you go to the right doctor for your shoulder pain treatment.

3. Shoulder Braces and Slings

If you’re experiencing pain due to a frozen shoulder or rotator cuff tear, a shoulder brace can be very useful in providing support to the shoulder joint during the healing process.
A shoulder brace is designed to stabilize the joint and restrict the patient’s range of motion but still help retain flexibility. This allows the shoulder joint to heal without undue strain while also minimizing the risk of re-injury.

There are various types of shoulder braces available in the market. The most common types of shoulder braces are:

1. Stabilizers
2. Immobilizers
3. Sling

You must choose the right type of shoulder brace that’s suitable for your condition.

Best Shoulder Braces For Frozen Shoulder Vs Rotator Cuff

1. Shoulder Immobilizer Sling

This shoulder immobilizer sling from ARYSE is designed to restrict micro-movements and immobilize the shoulder joint to promote quick healing. Made of high-performance material, this brace can be worn while exercising, driving, or doing any other physical activity while your shoulder is actively healing.

Whether you’re recovering from a rotator cuff tear, a frozen shoulder or simply looking for extra support and compression to get rid of shoulder pain, use this shoulder immobilizer brace for quick recovery.

2. Shoulder Sling

This adjustable shoulder sling from ARYSE is designed to provide the ultimate compression, support, and protection to patients suffering from a rotator cuff tear or frozen shoulder. Made up of high-quality material, this shoulder sling helps to reduce pain, and soreness and gives amazing protection to shoulder muscles so they can heal quickly.

Frozen Shoulder Vs Rotator Cuff – Where to Buy the Right Shoulder Brace?

Need a shoulder brace or support for rotator cuff, frozen shoulder, or any other shoulder injury? We, at Daphco, can offer a wide range of ARYSE shoulder braces and slings to treat various types of shoulder injuries, fractures, dislocations, rotator cuff injuries, etc.

Need more details about our shoulder braces? Contact us today.

“How Can Poor Posture Result In Back Pain?”, it’s a question anyone who spends long hours in front of a computer or at a desk might ask at some point. Poor posture affects many office workers, causing mild to severe back pain and impacting their professional, personal, and family life. In the US, one in four employees reports back pain, costing the economy $200 billion annually, including 149 million lost work days and two-thirds of lost wages and productivity.

In the IT industry, where many individuals hunch forward in awkward positions while working, this contributes to the prevalence of back pain. However, with time, effort, and right back braces, the posture can be improved and back pain can be prevented.

This blog explores how can poor posture result in back pain, its impact on employees, and effective ways to prevent it.

How Can Poor Posture Result In Back Pain?

One of the leading reasons for back pain in the workplace is poor posture. Throughout the workday, individuals may find themselves slouching, leaning towards their computer, or even sliding forward in their chairs.

Fatigue can also cause employees to have a relaxed posture while sitting or standing. Such positions can put excessive strain on spinal ligaments and put pressure on the spinal discs. Additionally, holding a phone for extended periods between your ear and shoulder can also lead to tension in the spine.

Poor workplace ergonomics can contribute to strained movements and poor posture. If the workplace is cramped and an employee cannot move freely or office chairs don’t offer proper lumbar support, these reasons may encourage poor posture which may lead to back pain.

Other reasons may also include:

• Using a computer/laptop in a forward-bent position for an extended period of time. (holding your head forward to focus on the screen is the major cause of frequent back pain).
• Not taking breaks from long periods of sitting (Experiencing little or no movement in a day can compress the intervertebral discs and squeeze water out of them.
• Crossing your legs more often
• Squinting eyes that may put pressure on your head and back muscles
• Unnatural movement of your arms
• Repetition of certain movements such as rotating or twisting your spine

How Can Poor Posture Result In Back Pain And Impact Employees’ Performance?

1. Back Pain Reduces Productivity

If you have back pain, it can affect your performance at work in several ways including reduced ability to focus, vulnerability to more mistakes, low morale, and ultimately low performance. Most employees become a victim of presenteeism – a condition in which the person gets distracted by symptoms. According to surveys, an individual may lose up to 16 minutes every time he feels pain in the back.

2. Back Pain Affects Decision-Making

According to PubMed research, ongoing back pain makes it difficult to work toward something or take the right decision about a project. A patient fails to adapt to the changing requirements and can’t make quick decisions when the project gets off track.

3. Back Pain Surgery Can Be Costly

Pain conditions not only affect employer healthcare plans but also result in considerable expenses for employees. Certain insurance plans don’t provide coverage for physical therapy, while copays for these range from $20 to $55 per session. If the employee goes through surgery due to a serious back condition, they may have to pay thousands of dollars.

Now that we have explained how can poor posture result in back pain and how it impacts employees, here are some back pain solutions for employees.

How Can Poor Posture Result In Back Pain: Preventive Measures

1. Pay Attention to Your Posture

The wrong or unhealthy posture is the major cause of back pain among employees. If you’re experiencing pain in your back, it’s time you work on correcting your posture.

To maintain good posture:

• Distribute your weight evenly on both feet while standing and avoid slouching.
• For a proper sitting posture, choose a chair that offers support to your lower back and adjust its height to keep your feet flat on the ground or on a footrest with your thighs parallel to the floor.
• If you’re using a computer and your hands are on the table, your shoulders should make an angle of 75 to 90 degrees while sitting straight in your chair.
• Remove your cell phone or wallet from the back pocket to prevent additional pressure on your lower back and buttocks.

2. Choose the Right Office Chair

Most of the employees work 8 to 9 hours a day. Sitting in an uncomfortable chair for a longer period can impact your posture. Therefore, it’s important to look for an ergonomic office chair.

• Make sure the chair has an adjustable height and backrest and an appropriate seat depth
• The chair should have adjustable armrests to reduce the stress on your back
• If you have to turn around frequently, make sure the chair is able to swivel so you do not have to twist your torso.

3. Prioritize Your Physical & Mental Health

Experiencing perpetual work-related stress can result in muscle tension and pain, in addition to burnout. If work is causing too much mental and physical stress, consider talking to your manager about your workload or utilizing the employee assistance program if it is available at your organization.

4. Use A Posture Brace

If you have been experiencing back pain due to bad posture at work, wearing a back brace can help correct your posture. Back braces for posture are designed to address the muscle imbalances that arise as a result of unhealthy postures. These braces work by giving a sense of proprioception to the muscles, guiding them where they need to be. Wearing a posture corrector for up to six hours a day will help relieve pain, and boost your energy and productivity level.

Do you need a back brace for your back pain? Daphco, a Medicare-approved supplier can provide high-quality back braces at market-competitive prices. If you’re a Medicare beneficiary, you can get a brace at little or no cost.

Need more details about our braces? Contact us at 888-616-4156 or send us an email at support@daphco.com

Month: February 2023

Frozen Shoulder Vs Rotator Cuff: Understanding the Difference & Treatments