RA
1
1
Moderate severity
· Orthopedics
Frozen Shoulder
Adhesive capsulitis · Painful stiff shoulder
The shoulder capsule thickens and contracts, locking the joint. Pain first, then stiffness, then gradual thaw — physiotherapy is the key.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- Up to 5% prevalence
- Typical age
- 40–60 years, women > men
- Outlook
- Self-limiting in 1–2 years
- System
- Bones
Reviewed by a verified Orthopedics doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Diabetes (3× risk)
- Post-surgery or immobilisation
- Thyroid disease
- Idiopathic in many
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Aching shoulder pain, worse at night
- Reducing range of motion
- Pain on reaching back
- Difficulty dressing, combing
- Months of slow recovery
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Physiotherapy with stretching
- Intra-articular steroid injection
- Hydrodilatation
- Manipulation under anesthesia
- Arthroscopic release if resistant
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Manage diabetes tightly
- Mobilise shoulder after surgery early
- Treat thyroid disease
Do’s
- Do home stretches daily
- Heat before exercises
- Sleep with a pillow under arm
- Be patient — it improves
Don’ts
- Lift weights through pain
- Skip physio sessions
- Bear-hug stretching too hard
- Ignore associated diabetes
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
See all orthopedics doctors Top 4 doctors for Frozen Shoulder
Ranked by patient rating, years of experience and review volume. All verified by MediConsult’s clinical team.
RS
2
2
BS
3
3
PP
4
4
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.