Frozen Shoulder: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

WHAT IS FROZEN SHOULDER?

Frozen shoulder, also known as Adhesive Capsulitis, is a shoulder injury that results in pain, stiffness, and a lack of range of motion. Your shoulder is made up of layers of muscle and connective tissue which create a “capsule”. Frozen shoulder occurs when this capsule is damaged causing thickening and tightening of the surrounding tissue causing pain and stiffness.

WHAT CAUSES FROZEN SHOULDER?

Frozen shoulder is commonly a result of a recent shoulder injury, such as a fracture or fall. During the recovery phase of the injury, your shoulder may be immobilized by a physical barrier like a cast or sling, or by a mental barrier like pain or instability. Frozen shoulder may get worse the longer it's present.

There are a few factors that increase your likelihood of developing frozen shoulder such as age, gender, and medical history.

A few medical conditions which increase your risk of developing frozen shoulder include:

• Diabetes

• thyroid conditions (hyper & hypothyroidism)

• Cardiovascular disease

• Parkinson’s disease

• Stroke

• Recent vaccination from the flu shot or other vaccines (SIRVA)

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF FROZEN SHOULDER?

Frozen shoulder typically occurs gradually, worsens over time, and then resolves within 1 to 3 years.

Frozen shoulder occurs in three stages:

Freezing or Painful phase

• The first stage of frozen shoulder is called the freezing stage or the painful stage. This stage typically lasts between three and nine months. In the freezing stage, range of motion becomes limited and is commonly painful. The pain is typically described as dull or achy and may be worse at night.

Frozen phase

• In the frozen phase, pain typically begins to diminish and range of motion remains stiff and limited. This stage may last from 6 months to a year.

Thawing phase

• The thawing stage may last from 6 months to a year and is characterized by improving range of motion with recurring, but decreasing pain levels.