Frozen Shoulder – Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Frozen shoulder is a condition in which the joint capsule becomes inflamed and stiff, making the shoulder painful and hard to move. It develops in stages and usually improves with time, while physiotherapy helps ease pain and restore movement.
What frozen shoulder is
Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is a condition in which the capsule around the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, thicker and less elastic. The result is marked stiffness and pain, and movement is limited both when you move the arm yourself and when someone else moves it.
It usually moves through three stages: a painful phase with growing stiffness, a stiff phase with less pain, and finally a gradual return of movement. Overall the process can last from several months to two or three years. It is more common after the age of 40 and in people with diabetes.
In most people the shoulder improves considerably over time. Suitable therapy and exercise can ease pain and support the return of mobility, but the pace is individual.
What contributes
- prolonged immobility of the shoulder after injury or surgery
- diabetes
- thyroid disorders
- age between 40 and 60
- a previous shoulder injury or tendinopathy
- in many cases no clear cause is found
How it shows up
- a dull, often night-time ache in the shoulder
- progressive stiffness of the joint
- difficulty dressing and combing hair
- inability to reach behind the back or overhead
- limited movement even when someone else moves the arm
- pain when trying to move further
How we can help
After a thorough assessment we work out which stage the shoulder is in and adapt the therapy to it. We use gentle manual therapy, therapeutic massage, mobility exercises and equipment such as laser, ultrasound, TECAR or electrotherapy to ease pain. We increase the load gradually and, if needed, will refer you to a specialist for further consultation.
When to see a doctor
Seek urgent medical care for sudden shoulder pain with shortness of breath, chest pressure or sweating. See a doctor also for pain after a fall or injury, fever with a red and swollen joint, or stiffness that worsens quickly, so that other causes can be ruled out.
This page is for information only and does not replace an assessment by a specialist.