Understanding frozen shoulder
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, involves the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint becoming inflamed, thickened and contracted. Movement is lost in a characteristic pattern, particularly rotating the arm outwards.
It typically moves through a painful freezing stage, a stiff frozen stage and a gradual thawing stage. It usually resolves, but over a long period, and how it is managed influences both comfort and eventual range.
Signs you might notice
- Progressive loss of shoulder movement in all directions
- Severe pain, often worst at night, in the early stage
- Difficulty reaching behind your back or overhead
- Marked loss of outward rotation
- Pain that eventually eases while stiffness remains
Common contributing factors
- Often no clear trigger at all
- Following a period of shoulder immobilisation or injury
- Associated with diabetes and thyroid conditions
- More common between forty and sixty
- Sometimes after surgery to the arm or chest
How we assess and treat it
We establish which stage you are in, because that determines everything. Aggressive stretching during the painful stage typically inflames matters, whereas the stiff stage tolerates and needs far more.
We are also honest about timeframes. Frozen shoulder is measured in months, and we would rather set proper expectations than promise a quick resolution.
- Stage appropriate hands-on treatment
- Pain management strategies for the early phase
- Graded mobility work as the shoulder allows
- Strengthening as movement returns
- Referral for injection or specialist opinion where appropriate
Common questions
How long does frozen shoulder last?
Often between one and three years in total, though good management can reduce pain considerably and improve the range you get back. We will not pretend it is quick.
Should I push through the pain?
Not in the painful stage, where forcing movement usually aggravates it. Later on, more challenging work becomes both appropriate and necessary.
Will I get it in the other shoulder?
It happens in a proportion of people, though not most. Knowing what to look for means you would catch it early.