What is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder affects the lining of your shoulder joint. This lining is called the shoulder capsule. In frozen shoulder, the shoulder capsule swells and thickens. This causes severe pain and stiffness. Another term for frozen shoulder is adhesive capsulitis.
Frozen Shoulder vs. Rotator Cuff Tear
A rotator cuff tear is an injury to your shoulder’s tendons. Your tendons are the tissues that attach muscle to bone. Frozen shoulder is inflammation in the shoulder capsule.
You can’t move your shoulder easily when you have a rotator cuff tear or frozen shoulder. If you have a rotator cuff tear, someone else can hold your shoulder and move it for you. If you have frozen shoulder, your shoulder is extremely painful and difficult to move even when someone else tries to rotate it.
Frozen Shoulder Causes and Risk Factors
Inflammation and thickening of your shoulder capsule cause frozen shoulder. Most people have frozen shoulder for no known reason. Sometimes, you develop it after a shoulder surgery or injury.
Some risk factors make you more likely to develop frozen shoulder:
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Age 40–60
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Being female
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History of diabetes, thyroid disorders or other conditions affecting your body’s ability to turn food into energy, a process called metabolism
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Frozen Shoulder Symptoms
People with frozen shoulder have several symptoms:
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Loss of range of motion
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Severe shoulder pain
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Stiffness
Frozen shoulder has three stages:
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Freezing stage: You gradually notice shoulder pain and stiffness.
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Frozen stage: Your shoulder is painful and stiff. You can barely move it, even when someone else tries to move it for you.
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Thawing stage: Your symptoms gradually improve.
When to See a Doctor for Frozen Shoulder
You should see a doctor if you have shoulder pain or stiffness that lasts more than 1–2 weeks. Start with home remedies that can decrease shoulder symptoms:
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Ice the area.
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Rest your shoulder.
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Stretch your shoulder as you’re able.
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Take over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.
See a doctor if your symptoms continue or worsen despite these remedies. You can start by visiting your primary care provider or an urgent care clinic. They may refer you to an orthopedic specialist for evaluation.
You also have access to orthopedic experts through the Injury Clinic at University Orthopaedic Center. The clinic lets you see an orthopedic specialist within 24–48 hours.
Frozen Shoulder Diagnosis
Your orthopedic specialist starts by discussing your symptoms and health history. They may ask several questions:
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Did you have a shoulder surgery or injury before your symptoms started?
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How long have you had symptoms?
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Is there anything that relieves or worsens your symptoms?
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What are your main symptoms?
The orthopedic specialist physically examines your shoulder. They will ask you if you can rotate your shoulder. This evaluates your active range of motion. They may try to rotate your shoulder for you. This checks your passive range of motion. Pain and loss of both types of range of motion points to frozen shoulder.
Many people get a frozen shoulder diagnosis based on their health history and a physical exam. Sometimes you get an MRI to look at your shoulder capsule or other shoulder tissues. The MRI may show thickening in the tissues around your shoulder.
Frozen Shoulder Treatment
Treating frozen shoulder starts with a combination of therapies. Your orthopedic specialist advises you try these approaches for 3–6 months:
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Disease management: You work with your primary care provider, endocrinologist, or other provider. They help you to manage diabetes or a thyroid disorder, if needed. Controlling these conditions can decrease frozen shoulder symptoms.
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Home remedies: You take over-the-counter medicines, such as ibuprofen. These medications reduce inflammation. You also apply heating pads to your shoulder. The heat helps loosen your shoulder tissues.
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Physical therapy: Physical therapy is crucial to keep as much range of motion as possible during the freezing stage. A physical therapist teaches you frozen shoulder exercises and stretches. They may also use hands-on techniques.
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Steroids: Your orthopedic specialist prescribes oral or injected steroid medications. Steroids mimic your body’s natural anti-inflammatory processes. Injecting concentrated steroids into your shoulder helps decrease inflammation. It may also make it easier to stretch the joint.
Almost all patients improve their symptoms with noninvasive treatments. Your orthopedic specialist may recommend other treatments if your symptoms don’t improve after trying these strategies for six months.
Frozen Shoulder Procedures and Surgery
Your orthopedic specialist may recommend other methods to treat frozen shoulder:
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Shoulder manipulation: You go to the operating room for this treatment, but it isn’t surgery. You receive general anesthesia to remain asleep. Then your orthopedic surgeon manually stretches your shoulder to break up thick and stiff scar tissue. This approach tends to work better for people who have frozen shoulder after an accident or surgery. They are less likely to redevelop scar tissue.
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Capsular release surgery: You receive general anesthesia to remain asleep during this procedure. Your orthopedic surgeon makes several small incisions or one longer incision in your shoulder. They strategically cut through scar tissue to loosen your shoulder capsule. Very few patients need frozen shoulder surgery.
How Long Does Frozen Shoulder Last?
It can take up to two years to heal from frozen shoulder. You have to move through all frozen shoulder stages.
Why Choose Â鶹ѧÉú¾«Æ·°æ?
Our University Orthopaedic Center team includes experts specializing in conditions such as frozen shoulder. Your care is in the hands of orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine doctors with specific expertise in the condition you have. Our doctors have treated many patients with frozen shoulder and have the experience to deliver effective care.
We provide the latest advanced therapies based on research. Our orthopedic doctors continually study the newest and best treatment approaches. We also teach and train the next generation of orthopedic experts.
Make an Appointment
Call 801-587-7109 to request an appointment with an orthopedic specialist. We don’t require referrals, but some insurance plans do. We recommend checking with your insurance provider before you schedule your appointment.
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