Learn About Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder is a condition in which the shoulder is painful and loses motion because of inflammation.
Adhesive capsulitis; Shoulder pain - frozen
The capsule of the shoulder joint has ligaments that hold the shoulder bones to each other. When the capsule becomes inflamed, the shoulder bones are unable to move freely in the joint.
Most of the time, there is no cause for frozen shoulder. Women 40 to 70 years old are most affected, however, men can also get the condition.
Risk factors include:
- Diabetes
- Thyroid problems
- Changes in your hormones, such as during menopause
- Shoulder injury
- Shoulder surgery
- Open heart surgery
- Recent breast surgery
- Cervical disk disease of the neck
The main symptoms of a frozen shoulder are:
- Pain
- Decreased motion of the shoulder
- Stiffness
Frozen shoulder can start with pain without any cause or minor trauma. The pain may be severe and prevent you from moving your arm. This lack of movement can lead to stiffness and even less motion. Over time, you are not able to do movements such as reaching over your head or behind you.
Pain is treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroid injections. Steroid injections and physical therapy can improve your motion.
It can take a few weeks to see progress. It may take as long as 9 months to a year for complete recovery. Physical therapy may be intense and needs to be done every day.
Left untreated, the condition often gets better by itself within 2 years with little residual loss of motion. However, your other medical conditions may make the process last longer.
Risk factors for frozen shoulder, such as menopause, diabetes or thyroid problems, should also be treated.
Surgery is recommended if nonsurgical treatment is not effective. This procedure (shoulder arthroscopy) is done under anesthesia. During surgery the scar tissue is cut by bringing the shoulder through a full range of motion. Arthroscopic surgery can also be used to cut the tight ligaments and remove any scar tissue from the shoulder. After surgery, you may receive pain blocks (shots) so you can do physical therapy.
Follow instructions on caring for your shoulder at home.
Proliance Surgeons
Julian S. Arroyo, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in shoulder reconstruction, upper extremity orthopedic surgery, and sports medicine. He began practicing in 1996 and is the first fellowship-trained shoulder surgeon to practice in Pierce County. He is professionally interested in minimally invasive shoulder procedures and outpatient shoulder arthroplasty. He uses the most advanced surgical and non-surgical techniques available to help his patients return to a normal lifestyle more quickly and with fewer complications.Dr. Arroyo is a frequent contributor to leading orthopedic journals and lectures and instructs physicians in advanced shoulder reconstruction techniques. He also has worked with major manufacturers, assisting in development and design of orthopedic implants and techniques. Dr. Arroyo is one of a select few surgeons in the state with membership in the distinguished American Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Association and is also a reviewing editor for the association’s Journal of Shoulder & Elbow Surgery. As a Pacific Northwest native, Dr. Arroyo is very active in the community. He enjoys snow skiing, water sports, fishing, hunting, and golf. Dr. Arroyo is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Frozen Shoulder. His top areas of expertise are Frozen Shoulder, Osteoarthritis, Tendinitis, and Bursitis.
Summit Orthopedics
Sarah Lehnert, M.D., C.A.Q., is an orthopedic sports medicine physician at Summit Orthopedics specializing in nonsurgical treatment of knee, shoulder, hip, foot, and ankle concerns. She has a special interest in musculoskeletal ultrasound and guided injections, and serves patients in Minneapolis/St. Paul. She completed her fellowship in primary care sports medicine at Hennepin County Medical Center, and earned a certificate of added qualification. She understands the unique needs of patients and has served on medical teams for events including the USA World Cup Youth Soccer tournament, Twin Cities Marathon, and Minnesota State High School League tournaments, in addition to being a team physician for college and high school teams. Dr. Lehnert is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Frozen Shoulder. Her top areas of expertise are Frozen Shoulder, Bursitis, Tendinitis, and Osteoarthritis.
Tidewater Orthopaedic Associates Inc.
Loel Payne is an Orthopedics provider in Hampton, Virginia. Dr. Payne is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Frozen Shoulder. His top areas of expertise are Bursitis, Osteoarthritis, Tenosynovitis, Knee Replacement, and Shoulder Arthroscopy. Dr. Payne is currently accepting new patients.
Treatment with physical therapy and NSAIDs often restores motion and function of the shoulder within a year. Even untreated, the shoulder may get better by itself in 2 years.
After surgery restores motion, you must continue physical therapy for several weeks or months. This is to prevent the frozen shoulder from returning. If you do not keep up with physical therapy, the frozen shoulder may come back.
Complications may include:
- Stiffness and pain continue even with therapy
- The arm can break if the shoulder is moved forcefully during surgery
If you have shoulder pain and stiffness and think you have a frozen shoulder, contact your provider for evaluation, referral, and treatment.
Early treatment may help prevent stiffness. Contact your provider if you develop shoulder pain that limits your range of motion for an extended period.
People who have diabetes or thyroid problems will be less likely to get frozen shoulder if they keep their condition under control.
Summary: The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if Perineural Injection Therapy (PIT) works to treat adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) in adults. It will also learn about the safety of PIT. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does PIT reduce shoulder pain and improve shoulder range of motion more effectively than conventional therapy alone? What side effects or medical problems do participan...
Summary: Lymphedema occurs not only in patients with breast cancer and gynecological cancers but also in those where lymphatic drainage is obstructed. Accumulation of lymphatic fluid within tissues results in limb swelling. Additionally, proteins present in lymphatic fluid might lead to fibrosis within tissues, causing various challenges for patients. The changes in volume and weight can significantly impa...
Published Date: October 07, 2024
Published By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Frozen shoulder. orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/frozen-shoulder. Updated January 2024. Accessed November 13, 2024.
Barlow J, Mundy AC, Jones GL. Stiff shoulder. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR, eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 51.
Finnoff JT, Johnson W. Upper limb pain and dysfunction. In: Cifu DX, ed. Braddom's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 35.
Miller RH, Azar FM, Throckmorton TW. Shoulder and elbow injuries. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 46.