What Is Frozen Shoulder? Learn More About Shoulder Pain Caused by Adhesive Capsulitis

Do I have Frozen Shoulder? Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis or shoulder contracture, is a painful condition and it tends to make moving your shoulder more difficult.

If you have adhesive capsulitis, depending on the severity of your condition, your ability to move your shoulder may range from somewhat to extremely difficult. Many people suffering from frozen shoulder describe a feeling of stiffness along with discomfort.

What Causes Adhesive Capsulitis?

Adhesive capsulitis happens when inflammation sets into the tough connective tissue around your shoulder joint. This inflammation causes the tissue to thicken and stiffen. Often times this is accompanied by a decline in the amount of synovial fluid that typically services to lubricate your joint.

Frozen shoulder may be more likely if you already have another shoulder injury or if you've had a previous surgery on your shoulder. People with diabetes and other chronic health conditions like heart disease may also be more likely to experience this uncomfortable condition. According to the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), around 10 to 20% of people with diabetes suffer from adhesive capsulitis at some point. Frozen shoulder most commonly occurs in middle age people between 40 and 60 years old. It also is more likely to affect women than men. The reason for these differences are not yet fully understood.

Medical Treatment for Frozen Shoulder

Treating adhesive capsulitis can take time and sometimes the symptoms associated with frozen shoulder can stay with a person for many months and even years. Treatment for frozen shoulder is typically based on the severity of the condition. Your orthopedic doctor can assess whether you have shoulder contracture and recommend a good treatment regimen based on your condition.

There are certain shoulder exercises that may be helpful for adhesive capsulitis, and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs and cortisone injections may also prove beneficial.

Physical therapy and sometimes massage therapy can be an important part of healing from shoulder contracture. Surgery, for example, arthroscopy, is sometimes recommended by a board certified orthopedic surgeon in more severe cases if non-surgical treatment options are not effective.

As with any persistent medical condition, if you are suffering from shoulder pain that is not going away, and are concerned that you may have shoulder contracture, you should consult a qualified medical professional for an evaluation and treatment options. Many conditions like adhesive capsulitis may become progressively more severe and painful if left untreated.