Frozen Shoulder

​​​​​Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, leads to pain, stiffness and difficulty moving the shoulder joint. Fortunately, almost all patients who receive treatment for frozen shoulder see a significant improvement in their symptoms. 

Diagnosing Frozen Shoulder

If you suspect you have frozen shoulder, we can help diagnose your condition and find the right treatment tailored to your needs.

Frozen Shoulder Risk Factors & Prevention

Frozen shoulder is often caused by scar tissue buildup in the joint that can affect one or both of your shoulders. Risk factors for frozen shoulder include:

• Experiencing a stroke, surgery or injury that prevents you from moving your arm for an extended period
• Being a female
• Being over 40
• Having diabetes

If you have had a surgery or injury that keeps you from moving your arm, talk to your physician about ways to prevent frozen shoulder, such as at-home exercises or physical therapy to improve your range of motion.

Signs & Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder

Symptoms of frozen shoulder include:

• Difficulty moving or lifting your shoulder, such as when you get dressed or reach for an item on a high shelf
• Pain, swelling or numbness in the shoulder
• Trouble performing everyday activities that involve lifting the arm and other shoulder movements

Diagnosis

Frozen shoulder is usually diagnosed based on your symptoms—pain, stiffness or difficulty moving your shoulder—along with other tests and exams:

• Physical exam—your doctor will ask you to move your shoulder to determine your active range of motion. In some cases, your doctor may inject numbing medication and then move your arm and shoulder to test your passive range of motion. Your doctor will then compare the affected shoulder’s range to your healthy shoulder.
• Imaging—tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or X-ray can rule out other conditions that may cause shoulder pain, stiffness and swelling, such as arthritis or a torn rotator cuff.

Frozen Shoulder Treatment

Most patients respond well to treatment for frozen shoulder. Depending on your unique needs, your physician may recommend less invasive treatments. For more serious cases, you may need surgery.

Nonsurgical Treatments

Nonsurgical treatments for frozen shoulder include:

• Medication—anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and aspirin can reduce pain and swelling, allowing your shoulder joint to regain mobility.
• Physical therapy—a physical therapist can provide customized exercises and stretches to build strength and flexibility so you can regain movement and reduce pain.
• Steroid injections—your physician may recommend a cortisone injection in your shoulder joint, which reduces pain and inflammation from frozen shoulder by sending strong anti-inflammatory medication directly to the source of your pain. 

Surgical Treatments

If nonsurgical treatments don’t help your frozen shoulder, your care team may recommend shoulder surgery to remove scar tissue and adhesions (thick bands of tissue) from inside your shoulder joint.