Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge
Bone & Joint Staff • April 25, 2022
How to Release a Frozen Shoulder

The word “frozen” can conjure many positive thoughts – like a certain magical ice princess or the best way to enjoy a margarita on a hot day. For some, though, the thought of “frozen” hits too close to home … on their shoulder, to be exact.

Adhesive capsulitis – commonly referred to as frozen shoulder – occurs when pain and stiffness build over time and leave the shoulder virtually immobile. It can take a while, but there are several ways to treat this common ailment and “Let It Go” for good.


Causes and Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder typically occurs in people ages 40 - 60 and tends to be more common in women. It can take between two and nine months to develop, but it usually starts with some kind of injury like a fracture, or inflammation of the soft tissues in the shoulder due to overuse conditions like bursitis or tendinitis.


When shoulder injury or inflammation causes pain, the shoulder’s range of motion becomes limited. This then causes the glenohumeral joint (or joint capsule) to contract and lose its usual capacity to stretch. Avoiding movement due to pain only makes this contraction worse and results in loss of lubricating fluid as well as space for the humerus (your upper arm bone) to move.

The main symptoms of frozen shoulder are pain, stiffness and limited range of motion.


Treatment of Frozen Shoulder

There are several at-home techniques for treating symptoms of frozen shoulder, but seeking guidance from an orthopedic physician first is recommended. Through an examination and testing, they will be able to determine the best course of action to relieve pain and release the shoulder back into its normal range of motion. Treatment for frozen shoulder can include:


  • Stretching exercises
  • Medicine like NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin and ibuprofen
  • Orthopedic physical therapy
  • Steroid injections
  • Surgery in rare cases 


Orthopedic Therapy for Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder can be a frustrating, painful, and debilitating condition. While patience and time are a necessity to overcome adhesive capsulitis, there are also steps that an orthopedic physician can take to help progress healing, improve comfort and shorten the process. If you are suffering from the signs and symptoms of frozen shoulder, contact Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge to learn how our team of specialists can help.

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Bone & Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge Physician Practice Transition – Effective April 1, 2025

By Bone and Joint Clinic Staff • April 1, 2025
BATON ROUGE, LA, January 30, 2025 – Effective April 1, 2025, four distinguished orthopedic surgeons from The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge will transition to Baton Rouge Orthopedic Clinic (BROC), continuing their commitment to providing high-quality orthopedic care. The physicians joining BROC are: 1. Joseph "Jeb" Broyles, MD – Specializes in joint replacement surgery, knee arthroscopy, and cartilage regeneration. 2. Arthur "Art" Hess, MD – Specializes in trauma, hip, knee, and shoulder reconstruction, and total joint replacement surgery. 3. Mat hew "Matt" Mazoch, M D – Specializes in shoulder and knee surgery. 4. Alan Schroeder, MD – Specializes in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. Beginning April 1, 2025, these physicians will operate under BROC's umbrella while continuing to see patients at The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge's current location, 7301 Hennessy Blvd. Eventually, the doctors plan to transition to BROC's campus on Bluebonnet Blvd. The estimated timeline for that move is Summer/Fall 2025. In addition, Dr. Patrick Hall will be transitioning to his own practice, Hall Podiatry, that will continue to provide quality podiatric care to patients. Dr. Hall will continue to practice at 7301 Hennessy Blvd. until May/June 2025. After that date, patients may see him at a new nearby location. Dr. Christopher Belleau is transitioning to The Neuromedical Center in Baton Rouge.  Patients are encouraged to continue scheduling appointments at The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge using the current process for the foreseeable future. To ensure a seamless transition, The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge will provide detailed information to patients in the coming weeks, including the secure transfer of medical records and continuity of care. The health and well-being of patients remain the top priority, and The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge, BROC, and Hall Podiatry are working together to make this transition as smooth as possible while maintaining uninterrupted care. For more information or to schedule an appointment, patients can contact The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge at 225-766-0050 or by visiting bjcbr.com . Patients can also reach BROC at 225-924-2424 or by visiting brortho.com .
Dr. Gerard Murtagh to Retire After Distinguished Career in Orthopedic Surgery

Dr. Gerard Murtagh to Retire After Distinguished Career in Orthopedic Surgery

By The Bone & Joint Clinic • March 10, 2025
Dr. Gerard Murtagh will retire from Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge on March 12, 2025, after a long and distinguished career dedicated to advancing orthopedic surgery.
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