FROZEN SHOULDER

Overview & Facts

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is stiffness, pain, and limited range of movement in your shoulder because the tissues around the joint stiffens. The condition usually comes on slowly, then goes away slowly over the course of a year or more.

What causes frozen shoulder?

Stopping the use of your shoulder joint because of pain, injury or a chronic health condition (e.g. diabetes, stroke) can develop frozen shoulder. As long as you do not keep the full range of motion of the shoulder working, it can lead to frozen shoulder.

Frozen shoulder occurs:

  • after surgery or injury.
  • people 40 to 70 years old.
  • women (especially in postmenopausal women) than in men.
  • people with chronic diseases.

Types & Symptoms

Not available.

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

This can be easily diagnosed with a physical exam from your doctor. Just to be sure of the diagnosis, an X-ray can be done to find other causes of shoulder pain.

 

RECOMMENDED MEDICATIONS

A frozen shoulder can take a year or more to get better. It usually starts with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and hot compress, then gentle stretching. Pain and swelling can be reduced using ice and medicines (including corticosteroid injections).

Physical therapy can help increase your range of motion. A frozen shoulder can take a year or more to get better.

If treatment is not helping, there are two surgeries that can be done in order to loosen some of the tight tissues around the shoulder. In one surgery, called manipulation under anesthesia, you are put to sleep and then your arm is moved into positions that stretch the tight tissue. The other surgery uses an arthroscope to cut through tight tissues and scar tissue. These surgeries can both be done at the same time.

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