Capsulitis – What Is It?

In the event of capsulitis, seek advice from your doctor, because treatment with drugs alone does not make sense.

As capsulitis  is called a painful inflammation of the joint capsule, which results in a significant loss of motion and therefore everyday life greatly affected.

Athletes in particular often suffer from capsulitis . In sports such as basketball, handball or volleyball, painful inflammation often occurs on one or more fingers. In this case, a rest position by a bandage is necessary.

Capsulitis also very often develops in the shoulder, which is also known as frozen shoulder . However, inflammation of the joint capsule can  also develop in the hip or other joints ,  especially with increasing age.

Women between 50 and 60 years of age are particularly at risk of developing joint problems of this type and, as a result, often see themselves as being very limited in their everyday tasks, because capsulitis is very painful.

Then you will find out interesting facts about this topic.

What are the causes of capsulitis?

To better understand this ailment, let’s first briefly explain what a joint capsule is.

• A joint capsule is a protective covering of connective tissue that seals the joints and prevents the synovial fluid from escaping.
• The joint capsule consists of two layers: the membrana fibrosum and the membrana synoviale. It is located very close to the cartilage tissue and ligaments and allows the joints to move harmoniously.

Capsulitis does not have a break or tear in the bone or joint. It is not a serious problem, but the inflammation of the joint capsule leads to constant, often intense pain.

The causes are often unknown, but in many cases various factors lead to the condition.

The most common triggers for capsulitis are:

• Trauma (from accident, impact …)
• rheumatic diseases
• diabetes
• Thyroid discomfort

In particular, women from menopause between the ages of 50 and 60 suffer from this inflammation.

Symptoms indicative of capsulitis

The pain manifests itself in a specific joint, whereby initially it usually comes to stiffness. 

Almost unconsciously, certain movements that could previously be carried out naturally and without problems suddenly become difficult. Combing your hair, washing your back, buttoning up a piece of clothing, or lifting heavy objects is painful.

• The pain increases over time and can last for weeks, months, or years, depending on the cause.
• The affected area may feel numb and swelling.
• Recovery is very slow.

Frozen shoulder – a very common type of capsulitis

As mentioned earlier, women who have passed menopause are more likely to suffer from capsulitis. From the age of 50 to 60, joint pain is particularly common, including capsulitis in the shoulders.

• This condition is also known as adhesive capsulitis. It is an  inflammation of the connective tissue that protects the shoulder joints. 

• This results in a stiff shoulder, hence the English name Frozen Shoulder . In many cases this condition becomes chronic.
• The joint capsule hardens, there is less synovial fluid (also synovia or synovial fluid) and the joint structure rubs against each other, which leads to continuous inflammation.

Symptoms of adhesive capsulitis

If the shoulder is “frozen”, the first thing you will experience is pain in the shoulder, usually at night. Affected people find it very difficult to sleep in a lateral position.

• Over time, the nocturnal pain also manifests itself during the day and complicates simple daily tasks: combing, fastening the seat belt in the car …
• Gradually the pain becomes more intense, there is an increased temperature, stress, vibrations, seasonal complaints …

• Taking pain medication does not make the pain go away. Very often the pain becomes chronic or goes away on its own after two years.

Treatment of a frozen shoulder

Adhesive capsulitis must be treated with various therapies so that mobility can be improved. At the same time, pain must be relieved and the inflammation of the joint capsule reduced.

Several helpful strategies are:

• Cold and heat treatments to reduce inflammation.
• TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) can also be very helpful in relieving pain. The nerves are stimulated by electrodes over the skin and are very effective.

• Another treatment option is to immobilize the shoulder. A physiotherapist is responsible for this.
• Daily stretches specifically designed for this problem can also be beneficial.
• Physiotherapy with massages is also very important.
• In addition, cryotherapy can be helpful. It is a cold treatment to reduce inflammation in the tissues around the shoulder joint.

It’s best to try different therapies to find out which one works best for you. Seek advice from your doctor, as medication alone does not make sense. Visit a physical therapist who can choose the best techniques for you.

Some patients also find relief with acupuncture. In addition, swimming and yoga can be very helpful.

Do not doubt  in the hands of good professionals to relieve your pain and improve your quality of life.