Frozen Shoulder

What is a frozen shoulder?

A frozen shoulder is a condition that causes pain and loss of motion in the shoulder. It’s also known as adhesive capsulitis. Even though many people develop a frozen shoulder, doctors still don’t know a lot about what causes this condition.

Some people may be more likely to get a frozen shoulder than others, including people who have diabetes.

A frozen shoulder can occur after:

• an injury
• trauma to the shoulder
• shoulder surgery.

It occurs from a combination of inflammation and scarring (fibrosis).

While a frozen shoulder can be painful and debilitating, there are treatments available to help ease your shoulder pain and regain motion.

What are the symptoms of a frozen shoulder?

The most common symptoms of frozen shoulder are pain and loss of motion. There are typically three phases to this condition:

• Phase one: The painful or “freezing” phase, when pain typically comes before the restriction in motion.
• Phase two: The stiff or “frozen” phase, when pain gradually decreases but the range of motion continues to worsen.
• Phase three: The recovery or “thawing” phase, when you have a gradual improvement of shoulder mobility and function.

This condition can last one to three years, though it typically lasts between eighteen months to two years. It is unusual for frozen shoulder to recur in the same shoulder but it may also affect your opposite shoulder after you have recovered.

How do I know if I have a frozen shoulder?

If you have pain or stiffness in your shoulder, a frozen shoulder will be the most likely initial diagnosis.

Dr Chia will take a detailed history and physical examination to determine whether you have a frozen shoulder or another condition with similar symptoms. You will also need an X-Ray to diagnose your condition and exclude other causes.

What are the treatment options for a frozen shoulder?

There are both non-surgical and surgical treatment options for a frozen shoulder.

Non-surgical treatment options
Non-surgical treatments for a frozen shoulder usually involve conservative therapies, including:

• pain-relief medications
• supervised physiotherapy
• steroid injections
• hydrodilatation.

Most people who have a frozen shoulder will experience symptom relief with these treatments.

Surgical treatment options
If your symptoms aren’t relieved with the non-surgical treatment options, Dr Chia may recommend surgery. The surgery will most likely be performed via keyhole (arthroscopic) surgery. During surgery, Dr Chia will release the scar-like tissue around the shoulder. The procedure is known as an “arthroscopic capsular release.”

After your surgery, you will need a rehabilitation program with a physiotherapist to help you recover well and regain full shoulder motion.