Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful and limiting condition that can take months or even years to fully heal. If physical therapy and traditional treatments have not provided relief, you may be wondering about other options. One promising non-surgical treatment is Platelet Lysate Hydrodissection.
In this blog, we’ll break down what frozen shoulder is, why it happens, and how platelet lysate hydrodissection can help restore movement and reduce pain when other treatments fall short.
What Is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder occurs when the shoulder joint capsule becomes inflamed, thickened, and tight, restricting movement. It typically progresses through three stages:
- Freezing Stage – Increasing pain and stiffness
- Frozen Stage – Severe loss of mobility, but pain may lessen
- Thawing Stage – Gradual return of movement over time
Frozen shoulder can develop after an injury, surgery, or prolonged immobility. People with diabetes or thyroid issues are also at higher risk.
Why Do Some Treatments Fail?
Many conventional treatments focus on pain relief but do not address the scar tissue, adhesions, and inflammation in the shoulder joint. Here’s why some treatments fall short:
- Physical Therapy – Essential for recovery but can be slow and painful.
- Steroid Injections – Reduce inflammation but may weaken tissues over time.
- Surgery (Capsular Release) – Invasive with risks like infection and nerve damage.
- Manipulation Under Anesthesia – Risk of rotator cuff injury if done aggressively.
When these treatments do not provide lasting relief, platelet lysate hydrodissection offers a minimally invasive alternative.
What Is Platelet Lysate Hydrodissection?
Platelet Lysate Hydrodissection is a regenerative medicine technique that breaks up adhesions, reduces inflammation, and restores mobility. It uses platelet-derived growth factors from your own blood to promote healing.
How It Works
- Blood Sample Collection – A small amount of blood is drawn and processed to create platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
- Platelet Lysate Extraction – The platelets are broken down to extract healing growth factors, creating platelet lysate (a less inflammatory version of PRP).
- Image-Guided Injection – Using ultrasound guidance, the platelet lysate is precisely injected into the tight, restricted areas of the shoulder to separate adhesions and reduce stiffness.
Unlike steroid injections, platelet lysate does not damage tissue and instead promotes healing.
When Should You Consider Platelet Lysate?
This treatment is ideal if you:
- Have persistent shoulder pain and stiffness despite physical therapy.
- Did not experience lasting relief from steroid injections.
- Want a non-surgical approach that promotes healing rather than masking pain.
- Need a minimally invasive treatment with minimal downtime.
What to Expect After Treatment
- Mild soreness for 1-2 days.
- Gradual improvement in mobility over weeks to months.
- Faster progress when combined with physical therapy.
- Some patients may need a repeat treatment after a few months for accelerated recovery.
Why Choose Platelet Lysate for Frozen Shoulder?
Traditional recovery from frozen shoulder can take 6 to 24 months with physical therapy alone. If you have been in therapy for 1-2 months with little progress, platelet lysate may help speed up your recovery.
Final Thoughts
Frozen shoulder can be frustrating and painful, but you don’t have to live with stiffness forever. Platelet Lysate Hydrodissection is a safe, effective, and non-surgical treatment that can restore mobility when other treatments fail.
If you are struggling with frozen shoulder and want to explore Platelet Lysate Hydrodissection, contact Chicago Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine for a consultation today.
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