Frozen shoulder
Frozen shoulder
Frozen shoulder is a condition that leads to pain and stiffness of the shoulder. It's also known as adhesive capsulitis or shoulder contracture. Typically, you'll experience shoulder pain which can become more severe over a number of months. This is usually followed by increasing stiffness. The stiffness may affect your ability to carry out everyday activities. In particularly severe cases, you may not be able to move your shoulder at all. This information is useful for those who have been diagnosed with a frozen shoulder. If you're experiencing new or ongoing symptoms, it's best to contact your healthcare professional.
Common Symptoms
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
Causes
What causes a frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder occurs when the flexible tissue that surrounds the shoulder joint, known as the capsule, becomes inflamed and thickened. It’s not fully understood why this process happens. This can happen in one or both shoulders.
This condition can appear after trauma, surgery or if you haven’t been able to move your arm for a long period of time. It can also appear for no apparent reason.
Your risk of developing a frozen shoulder can increase if you:
- have a neurological disorder like Parkinson’s disease, a stroke or a brain injury
- have Dupuytren’s contracture – a condition where small lumps of thickened tissue form in the hands and fingers
- are Peri-menopausal or menopausal
- other health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol or a thyroid problem
Lifestyle factors, like smoking, obesity and low levels of physical activity can also increase the risk of a frozen shoulder
Diagnosis
Doctors don't usually diagnose frozen shoulder on the spot; you'll first need an assessment from a qualified healthcare professional.
They'll normally start by asking about your shoulder problem, then examine it directly. This includes checking how far you can move your arm and how much strength you still have in it.
In some cases, further tests may be needed to make sure no other condition is causing your symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment for a frozen shoulder
Treatment options depend on the severity of your symptoms. Although most cases improve on their own, a frozen shoulder can take more than 2 years to recover from. Recovery can be slower if you have other health conditions like diabetes or thyroid problems.
Some people may not completely recover from all symptoms, like slight stiffness, but this tends to not limit their day to day activities.
Pain management
Pain medication can help you move more comfortably, which can help manage your symptoms.
More about taking painkillers.
Treating with heat or ice
Using heat or ice on your shoulder can help reduce symptoms. Both heat and ice help reduce pain. You can use whichever feels most helpful for you.
Use a barrier, like a towel, to protect your skin from a heat or ice burn. Never place heat or ice directly on your skin. Apply for no longer than 20 minutes at a time and leave a few hours between treatments.
How to avoid hot water bottle burns and scalds – Care of Burns in Scotland
When to stop using heat or ice
You should stop treating the area with heat or ice if you notice an increase in redness, discolouration or blistering of the skin.
Read more about burns and scalds
If you have any issues with circulation or sensation, you shouldn’t use heat or ice as a treatment for shoulder pain.
Exercise
Targeted shoulder exercises to encourage movement, stretching and strengthening exercises can help to improve your arm movement and pain.
The British Elbow and Shoulder Society have a video with specific exercises to help with a frozen shoulder
Stop these exercises if they make your symptoms worse, or if they cause new pain.
If your shoulder pain worsens while following this advice, it’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional about your symptoms.
Corticosteroid Injections
If painkillers aren’t helping to control the pain, your healthcare professional may discuss the option of having a corticosteroid injection into your shoulder joint.
Corticosteroids are medicines that help reduce pain and inflammation. They may also be given with a local anaesthetic.
Injections won’t cure your condition or reduce shoulder stiffness, they are used to help with the pain.
Read more about corticosteroids
Work
Frozen shoulder can sometimes mean you need to take some time off work to help recovery. How long you’re off will depend on your condition and your role at work.
You don’t need to be symptom free before you consider returning to work. Continuing to go to work, or returning to work as soon as is possible for you, will help your recovery.
Gradually getting back to your normal daily activities can help to build up your strength and stamina levels.
Help and support
Following this advice, you should see gradual improvements over time.
Talk to a healthcare professional if:
- your symptoms haven’t improved within 6 weeks following this advice
- your symptoms get worse
Find out about access to MSK services in your area
When dealing with any health condition it’s important to also look after your mental wellbeing. This can impact your recovery.
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