Topic Overview
What is frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is stiffness, pain, and
limited range of movement in your
shoulder that may follow an injury. The tissues around
the joint stiffen, scar tissue forms, and shoulder movements become difficult
and painful. The condition usually comes on slowly, then goes away slowly over the course of several months or longer.
What causes frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder can develop when you stop using the joint
normally because of pain, injury, or a chronic health condition, such as
diabetes or arthritis. Any shoulder problem can lead to frozen shoulder if you
do not work to keep full range of motion.
Frozen shoulder occurs:
- After surgery or injury.
- Most
often in people 40 to 70 years old.
- More often in women (especially
in postmenopausal women) than in men.
- Most often in people with
chronic diseases.
How is frozen shoulder diagnosed?
Your doctor may suspect frozen shoulder if a
physical exam reveals limited shoulder movement. An X-ray may be done to see whether symptoms are from another condition such as arthritis or a broken bone. An arthrogram, which is an X-ray
image of your joint taken after a contrast material (such as a dye or air) is
injected into it, can help confirm the diagnosis.
How is it treated?
Treatment for frozen shoulder usually starts with
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and
application of heat to the affected area, followed by gentle stretching. Ice
and medicines (including corticosteroid injections) may also be used to
reduce pain and swelling. And physical therapy can help increase your range of
motion. A frozen shoulder can take many months to get better. But if treatment is not helping, surgery is sometimes done to cut some of the tight tissues around the shoulder. This surgery is often done with an arthroscope.
Can frozen shoulder be prevented?
Gentle, progressive range-of-motion exercises, stretching, and
using your shoulder more may help prevent frozen shoulder.
Other Places To Get Help
Organization
| American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
(AAOS) |
| 6300 North River Road |
| Rosemont, IL 60018-4262 |
| Phone: |
1-800-346-AAOS (1-800-346-2267)
(847) 823-7186 |
| Fax: |
(847) 823-8125 |
| Email: |
orthoinfo@aaos.org |
| Web Address: |
www.orthoinfo.aaos.org |
| |
|
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
provides information and education to raise the public's awareness of
musculoskeletal conditions, with an emphasis on preventive measures. The AAOS
website contains information on orthopedic conditions and treatments, injury
prevention, and wellness and exercise.
|
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References
Other Works Consulted
- McMahon PJ, Kaplan LD (2006). Shoulder stiffness section of Sports medicine. In HB Skinner, ed., Current Diagnosis and Treatment in Orthopedics, 4th ed, pp. 208–210. New York: McGraw-Hill.
- Mercier LR (2008). Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) section of The shoulder. In Practical Orthopedics, 6th ed, pp. 66–67. Philadelphia: Mosby Elsevier.
Credits
| By |
Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer |
William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer |
Patrick J. McMahon, MD - Orthopedic Surgery |
| Last Revised |
August 29, 2011 |
