Frozen shoulder

Georgios Panagopoulos MD | Orthopaedic Surgeon

What is frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is a painful condition in which inflammation causes reduced motion of the shoulder, or stiffness. It is also called adhesive capsulitis. Symptoms typically start slowly, then they get worse. The condition is self-limiting, meaning it usually resolves on its own, but it may take 1-2 years.

What causes frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is more commonly seen in women between the ages of 40-60. It can be idiopathic (unknown etiology), or secondary to an undelying condition, such as diabetes or a thyroid disorder. Long standing immobilisation, ie after a fracture or after surgery, can also lead to frozen shoulder (post-traumatic & postoperative frozen shoulder).

Frozen shoulder develops when the strong connective tissue around the shoulder or joint capsule, that contains all the ligaments that hold the ball in the socket, becomes thick and inflamed. As a result, the shoulder gets stiff and becomes “frozen”, it cannot move anymore.

What are the symptoms of frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder typically manifests in 3 stages:

• Freezing stage (stage 1): This stage takes 2-9 months. The shoulder becomes gradually more painful to move and movement starts to become limited.
• Frozen stage (stage 2): This stage lasts 4-12 months. The shoulder is stiff, and its use is limited, but pain becomes less pronounced.
• Thawing stage (stage 3): This is the recovery stage and may last 5 to 24 months. The shoulder begins to move again.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based mainly on history and physical exam. Dr Panagopoulos will take a detailed history and perform a thorough physical exam. The doctor like act you to raise your arm on your own. This determines your “active range of motion”. Then the doctor will move your arm passively. This determines your “passive range of motion”. In frozen shoulder, passive and active range of motion are the same. An x-ray will be also ordered to rule out any other shoulder pathology, such as arthritis. Other imaging modalities, such as ultrasound or MRI are usually not needed, but may be ordered if the diagnosis is in question.

Conservative treatment

Conservative treatment for frozen shoulder includes:

• Stretching exercises.
• Physiotherapy/home exercise program for strengthening and stretching exercises
• Steroid injection(s) in the glenohumeral joint. Dr Panagopoulos can perform this injection under ultrasound guidance in the office.

The condition can be self-limiting, meaning it may resolve on its own, but it may take 1-2 years.

Surgical Treatment

If conservative treatment fails to improve pain and stiffness, surgery is the next natural option. Surgical treatment typically involves shoulder arthroscopy, which is done through small keyholes, in a minimally invasive fashion (arthroscopic capsular release). Through these small incisions, the surgeon can introduce a camera and small instruments into the joint. The surgeon then releases the frozen capsule, improving dramatically the restricted range of motion. This is a day procedure & the patient may return home the same day if they wish.

The procedure is performed with a combination of general and regional anaesthesia, which allows an analgesic effect for 12-18 hours postoperatively. Commonly prior to the procedure an exam under anaesthetic, or EUA is performed followed by a manipulation under anaesthetic, or MUA. If the MUA is successful, the arthroscopic part of the procedure might not be needed.

Immediately after surgery, an intensive individualised physiotherapy & home exercise program is paramount, so that the maximal range of motion is maintained.  

Dr Panagopoulos has extensive experience in the treatment of shoulder conditions, and will discuss with you all the available therapeutic options during your visit in the office.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions