Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)

Overview

Frozen shoulder is a painful, progressive loss of shoulder movement caused by inflammation and tightening of the joint capsule. It typically passes through painful, stiff and recovery phases over many months to a couple of years.

Symptoms

• Gradual onset of shoulder pain
• Progressive loss of movement in all directions
• Marked loss of external rotation
• Night pain in the early phase

Causes

• Often idiopathic
• Associated with diabetes and thyroid disease
• Following a period of shoulder immobilisation

Treatment

• Pain management in the painful phase
• Range-of-motion and stretching as tolerated
• Strengthening as movement returns
• Injection or specialist referral if severe