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Frozen shoulder syndrome, clinically known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful and debilitating condition affecting up to 5% of the population. Adhesive capsulitis is considered to be fibrosis of the glenohumeral joint capsule with a chronic inflammatory response. Patients experience pain, limited range of motion, and disability generally lasting anywhere from 1 to 24 months.
Presentation of this disorder varies greatly depending on the stage at which the patient presents for examination however it usually affects patients over 40 years of age. There are three main stages of adhesive capsulitis: Freezing, Frozen and Thawing.
Various theories have been suggested. However, the causes of adhesive capsulitis are still not fully understood.
It is generally more common in women than men. It can affect either shoulder, although it most commonly affects the non-dominant shoulder.
A fall onto an outstretched hand up to 6 months prior to the onset of shoulder pain is thought to be a possible contributor to the onset of adhesive capsulitis.
Freezing: As the pain increases, shoulder range of motion decreases making movement, lying on the affected shoulder and dressing painful. This usually lasts 6 weeks to 9 months.
Frozen: Pain improves during this stage, but stiffness remains. Usually lasts 4 to 6 months.
Thawing: Shoulder motion slowly improves. Recovery usually takes from 6 months to 2 years.
If you have diabetes, thyroid disorder, Parkinson’s disease, or cardiac disease you are at higher risk of developing frozen shoulder. If you have your shoulder in a sling for a while due to injury to your arm or wrist, this can also cause this condition. It is important to seek early treatment if you feel your shoulder is becoming stiff and painful.
You can see any of our practitioners for most conditions but check out their profiles for more information and specific interests. Our MSK doctors give steroid injections or hydrodilation injections to free up adhesions and reduce inflammation which can speed up the process of recovery from Frozen Shoulder. This allows an effective programme of therapy with an osteopath, physio or chiropractor.
Check out our services pages to find out more about these therapies. Practitioners are trained to treat most conditions but do this in slightly different ways. They work together to find the best treatment most suited to your condition.
Our practitioners offer manual therapy and exercises for frozen shoulder. You may need a steroid injection or hydrodilation injection to reduce inflammation and pain. Once the pain has settled you will be able to do your exercises more easily.
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