HealthInfo Canterbury
Frozen shoulder
Pokohiwi mÄkiri
Frozen shoulder is the common name for a condition that used to be called adhesive capsulitis.
In frozen shoulder, the capsule of thin tissue that covers your shoulder joint becomes thicker and inflamed. This can make it harder to move your shoulder.
It isn't clear what causes frozen shoulder. It can happen for no obvious reason, or it may happen after a shoulder injury. It most often happens between the ages of 40 and 60 and is more common among people with diabetes.
If you have a frozen shoulder, you'll gradually (over several months) become less able to move it. Moving it will also be painful, especially if you're putting your hand behind your back or reaching forward. The pain may be worse at night.
There are usually three stages to frozen shoulder.
Phase one – freezing and pain
The first symptom of frozen shoulder is usually pain and it can last up to nine months. During this phase, you should see your general practice team for pain relief and possibly a steroid injection to help with the pain in your shoulder. Hands-on physiotherapy isn't usually helpful during this phase, but a physiotherapist will be able to provide advice.
Phase two – frozen and stiff
During this phase, the pain gradually gets better, but your shoulder is still stiff and has limited movement. This phase can last up to 12 months. During this phase, steroid injections can help you with pain. Once the pain has gone away, physiotherapy may help you get your shoulder movement back.
Phase three – thawing and recovery
The pain has gone, and the stiffness gradually gets better. But it can take up to three years to fully recover. At this stage it's important to see a physiotherapist for exercises that will help you get your full movement back, strengthen your upper back and shoulder muscles and improve your posture.
Exercises you can do at home include shoulder-assisted flexion and abduction and the hand behind back exercise.
Written by a Canterbury physiotherapist. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2022.
SourcesReview key: HISHI-13267
