frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a frustrating and often painful condition characterized by lack of mobility in the shoulder joint. When connective tissues surrounding the shoulder joint become damaged, inflamed and thickened, they tighten around the joint and restrict motion.

Common symptoms of frozen shoulder include pain, stiffness, swelling and immobility that often progresses through three stages:

Freezing stage: You may begin to notice pain in the shoulder that causes you to limit your movement.

Frozen stage: Stiffness in your shoulder persists, but pain has started to lessen.

Thawing stage: You will begin to slowly regain motion, and pain continues to improve.

Frozen Shoulder Risk Factors

It is not always known what causes frozen shoulder to develop, but certain individuals are at higher risk of developing the condition. Risk factors include:

• Age: Frozen shoulder most commonly occurs in adults ages 40 to 60.
• Shoulder injury: You may be more susceptible to developing frozen shoulder if you recently underwent shoulder surgery, suffered a rotator cuff injury or broke your arm.
• Diseases and other health conditions: Individuals who have diabetes, certain thyroid conditions, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease or have suffered a stroke may have a higher chance of developing frozen shoulder.

Diagnosing Frozen Shoulder

If you experience pain, stiffness and limited mobility in your shoulder, make an appointment with a Penn orthopaedic specialist to determine if you have frozen shoulder.

To diagnose frozen shoulder, a Penn orthopaedic specialist will evaluate your symptoms and examine your shoulder and arm to assess your range of motion and pain levels.

You may require further imaging tests to ensure an accurate diagnosis, such as:

CT scan

MRI

Musculoskeletal ultrasound

X-ray

Musculoskeletal radiologists carefully review imaging to determine the severity of your condition so you can receive the best possible treatment.

Frozen Shoulder Treatment Options

Frozen shoulder is typically first treated conservatively. A combination of the following nonsurgical methods often relieve pain and improve mobility:

Activity modification

Anti-inflammatory medication

Corticosteroid injection into