Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
A frozen shoulder, also known as adhesivecapsulitis, is a condition involving pain and stiffness in the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder (theglenohumoraljoint). It usually develops over time and can limit the functional use of your arm.The shoulder pain and tightness of a frozen shoulder can make it difficult to reach overhead.
People with diabetes, thyroid disease, and cardiac conditions are especially likely to develop frozen shoulder, and women develop it more often than men.Frozen shoulder is most common in people over 40.
This article explains the symptoms and causes of frozen shoulder. It also describes how the disorder is diagnosed and treated.
Witthaya Prasongsin / Getty Images
Symptoms and Stages
Symptoms of frozen shoulder include:
These symptoms can make it hard for you to perform simple activities, like putting away dishes or combing your hair. You may have difficulty reaching behind your back to grab something from your back pocket. Putting on a belt may be painful, too.
It can take years to get to the thawing stage, so you’re better off seeking treatment rather than just waiting for it to get better.
Frozen Shoulder Stages and Recover Times
1:48Click Play to Learn All About Frozen Shoulder
1:48
Click Play to Learn All About Frozen Shoulder
The cause of frozen shoulder isn’t yet understood, but the condition is often tied to a systemic condition, or one that affects the entire body. Such a condition might include:
Frozen shoulder is also associated with damage to the joint from injuries or other shoulder problems, such as:
Frozen shoulder related to any of these causes is considered secondary. In some cases, it can occur without there being any illness or injury. It is considered primary or idiopathic frozen shoulder.
Mobility Matters
You can get a pretty good idea of whether you have frozen shoulder with a simple self-test. Just remember that it’s no substitute for a diagnosis from your healthcare provider:
Self-Test
Stand in front of a mirror or have someone watch you as you:
At the Provider’s Office
If the self-test indicates a frozen shoulder, make an appointment with your healthcare provider orphysical therapist. There are nospecial testsfordiagnosing a frozen shoulder, and it doesn’t show up on an X-ray ormagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)test.However, these kinds of imaging tests may be ordered to rule out other possible causes.
Manycauses of shoulder paininvolve limits in only active range of motion. With a frozen shoulder, it’s passively limited as well. By getting a diagnosis and treatment during the freezing stage, you may be able to keep the condition from progressing and shorten the time you must deal with pain and functional limitations.
Being Thorough MattersTesting range of motion doesn’t exactly tickle; it can cause twinges of discomfort. But the maneuvers are necessary to eliminate a more serious condition: a rotator cuff tear.
Being Thorough Matters
Testing range of motion doesn’t exactly tickle; it can cause twinges of discomfort. But the maneuvers are necessary to eliminate a more serious condition: a rotator cuff tear.
Physical therapy for a frozen shoulder usually involves exercises to help reduce pain and possibly to improve your shoulder’s range of motion.Your physical therapist can teach you what to do and what to avoid.
Typically, strength is not affected when you have a frozen shoulder, but your physical therapist may work with you to help improve the functional mobility of your arm. Anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroid injections may help relieve your pain.So can applying an ice pack for 15 minutes at a time.Surgery for a frozen shoulderis rarely required, but it’s an option in some severe cases.
Exercises for Frozen Shoulder
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Recovering from frozen shoulder often requires the services of a physical therapist. If you don’t know one, ask a trusted friend or family member for a referral. It’s important to work with a therapist you like and who makes communication easy. Sutter Health also recommends finding a therapist who works close to your home or workplace. Proximity will make it easier for you to show up for all of your appointments and keep your recovery plan on track.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cho CH, Bae KC, Kim DH.Treatment strategy for frozen shoulder.Clin Orthop Surg. 2019;11(3):249-257. doi:10.4055/cios.2019.11.3.249.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Frozen shoulder.Le HV, Lee SJ, Nazarian A, Rodriguez EK.Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: Review of pathophysiology and current clinical treatments.Shoulder Elbow.2017;9(2):75-84. doi:10.1177/1758573216676786.Chan HBY, Pua PY, How CH.Physical therapy in the management of frozen shoulder.Singapore Med J. 2017;58(12):685-689. doi:10.11622/smedj.2017107.Nagy MT, Macfarlane RJ, Khan Y, Waseem M.The frozen shoulder: Myths and realities.Open Orthop J.2013;7:352-5. doi:10.2174/1874325001307010352.Sutter Health.Tips for choosing a physical therapist.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cho CH, Bae KC, Kim DH.Treatment strategy for frozen shoulder.Clin Orthop Surg. 2019;11(3):249-257. doi:10.4055/cios.2019.11.3.249.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Frozen shoulder.Le HV, Lee SJ, Nazarian A, Rodriguez EK.Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: Review of pathophysiology and current clinical treatments.Shoulder Elbow.2017;9(2):75-84. doi:10.1177/1758573216676786.Chan HBY, Pua PY, How CH.Physical therapy in the management of frozen shoulder.Singapore Med J. 2017;58(12):685-689. doi:10.11622/smedj.2017107.Nagy MT, Macfarlane RJ, Khan Y, Waseem M.The frozen shoulder: Myths and realities.Open Orthop J.2013;7:352-5. doi:10.2174/1874325001307010352.Sutter Health.Tips for choosing a physical therapist.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cho CH, Bae KC, Kim DH.Treatment strategy for frozen shoulder.Clin Orthop Surg. 2019;11(3):249-257. doi:10.4055/cios.2019.11.3.249.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Frozen shoulder.Le HV, Lee SJ, Nazarian A, Rodriguez EK.Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: Review of pathophysiology and current clinical treatments.Shoulder Elbow.2017;9(2):75-84. doi:10.1177/1758573216676786.Chan HBY, Pua PY, How CH.Physical therapy in the management of frozen shoulder.Singapore Med J. 2017;58(12):685-689. doi:10.11622/smedj.2017107.Nagy MT, Macfarlane RJ, Khan Y, Waseem M.The frozen shoulder: Myths and realities.Open Orthop J.2013;7:352-5. doi:10.2174/1874325001307010352.Sutter Health.Tips for choosing a physical therapist.
Cho CH, Bae KC, Kim DH.Treatment strategy for frozen shoulder.Clin Orthop Surg. 2019;11(3):249-257. doi:10.4055/cios.2019.11.3.249.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Frozen shoulder.
Le HV, Lee SJ, Nazarian A, Rodriguez EK.Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: Review of pathophysiology and current clinical treatments.Shoulder Elbow.2017;9(2):75-84. doi:10.1177/1758573216676786.
Chan HBY, Pua PY, How CH.Physical therapy in the management of frozen shoulder.Singapore Med J. 2017;58(12):685-689. doi:10.11622/smedj.2017107.
Nagy MT, Macfarlane RJ, Khan Y, Waseem M.The frozen shoulder: Myths and realities.Open Orthop J.2013;7:352-5. doi:10.2174/1874325001307010352.
Sutter Health.Tips for choosing a physical therapist.
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