Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Reviewed By – Dr. Sameer Gohir
PhD, MSc, PG Cert MSK ultrasound, PG Cert. Non-Medical Prescribing, MCSP, MAPPN

What Is Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)?

Frozen shoulder, medically known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by pain and significant stiffness in the shoulder joint.

This occurs when the shoulder capsule, the connective tissue surrounding the joint, becomes inflamed, thickened, and contracted, limiting the shoulder’s range of motion.

Dealing with shoulder pain or stiffness from frozen shoulder? Joint Injection Clinic, with clinics near Kent and Essex, offers advanced care to help you move comfortably again.

Schedule your consultation now!
Frozen Shoulder

Common Causes of Frozen Shoulder

While the exact cause of frozen shoulder is often unclear, it is believed to involve inflammation and the formation of scar tissue within the shoulder capsule. Several factors can increase the risk of developing frozen shoulder:

  • Immobilization: Prolonged immobilization of the shoulder due to surgery, injury, or stroke is a significant risk factor.
  • Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing frozen shoulder.
  • Thyroid Disorders: Conditions affecting the thyroid, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, are also associated with an increased risk.
  • Other Metabolic Conditions: Other conditions affecting metabolism can increase susceptibility.
  • Age and Sex: Frozen shoulder is more common in individuals between 40 and 60 years old, and it affects women more often than men.
  • Other Health Conditions: While less common, conditions like Parkinson’s disease can also be linked to frozen shoulder.

Symptoms and Stages of Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder typically progresses through three stages:

  • Freezing Stage: This initial stage is marked by gradually increasing shoulder pain and stiffness. The shoulder capsule becomes inflamed and begins to shrink. This stage can last from two to nine months.
  • Frozen Stage: In this stage, pain may start to decrease, but stiffness remains significant, severely limiting the shoulder’s range of motion. Movement is very difficult, even when someone else tries to move the arm. This stage typically lasts for four to six months.
  • Thawing Stage: During this recovery phase, the stiffness gradually improves, and the range of motion begins to return. This stage can last anywhere from six months to two years, with gradual improvement in movement and function.

Common symptoms across these stages include loss of range of motion, severe shoulder pain (which may start on the outside of the upper arm), and stiffness.

How Is Frozen Shoulder Diagnosed?

Diagnosing frozen shoulder typically involves a review of the patient’s medical history and a physical examination. A healthcare provider will assess both the active range of motion (how far the patient can move their arm) and the passive range of motion ( how far the provider can move the patient’s arm). Limited movement in both active and passive range of motion is a key indicator of frozen shoulder. In some cases, an MRI may be used to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions, showing thickening of the tissues around the shoulder.

Treatment Options for Frozen Shoulder

The primary goals of frozen shoulder treatment are to reduce pain and improve range of motion. Treatment approaches are often tailored to the individual and the stage of their condition:

Nonsurgical Treatments:

  • Home Remedies: Initial steps can include resting the shoulder, applying ice to reduce inflammation, and performing gentle stretches as tolerated.
  • Pain Medications: Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen can help manage pain and inflammation.
  • Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy is a crucial component of treatment, focusing on exercises and stretches to maintain and improve shoulder flexibility and range of motion. A physical therapist can provide guidance on appropriate exercises and hands-on techniques.
  • Steroid Medications: Injected steroids can help reduce inflammation and pain, potentially making stretching easier. Injecting concentrated steroids directly into the shoulder joint is a common approach. This is very useful in early stages to manage your pain. In latter stages (frozen shoulder), injections are less effective.
  • Disease Management: If underlying conditions like diabetes or thyroid disorders are contributing to frozen shoulder, managing these conditions with appropriate medical care is important.

Most patients experience improvement with these noninvasive treatments, although it can take time.

Surgical and Procedural Treatments:

If symptoms do not improve after several months of conservative treatment, more invasive options may be considered:

  • Shoulder Manipulation: Performed under general anesthesia, this procedure involves the surgeon manually stretching the shoulder to break up scar tissue and improve range of motion. This is often more effective for individuals who developed frozen shoulder after an injury or surgery.
  • Capsular Release Surgery: In rare cases, surgery may be performed to cut through the thickened scar tissue in the shoulder capsule, allowing for improved movement. This is done through small incisions (arthroscopy) or a larger open incision.

Complete recovery from frozen shoulder can take up to two years, with the shoulder progressing through all three stages.

When to See a Doctor:

If you experience shoulder pain or stiffness that lasts for more than a week or two and does not improve with home remedies, it is recommended to see a doctor. Prompt evaluation can help ensure proper diagnosis and management.

Get Help for Frozen Shoulder at Joint Injection Clinic

Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, can cause ongoing pain and stiffness that limits your ability to reach, lift, or perform daily activities. If shoulder discomfort is affecting your work, exercise, or sleep, you don’t have to manage it alone.

At Joint Injection Clinic, our experienced team provides evidence-based treatments to reduce pain, improve shoulder mobility, and support your recovery.

We welcome patients at all three of our clinics:

Dartford Clinic – ideal for those in Kent and South East London

Address: Unit 30, 1st Floor, The Base Dartford Business Park, Victoria Road, Dartford, DA1 5FS.

Romford Clinic – easily accessible from Essex and Greater London

Address: Room no 8, Alliance Office Space 2-4 Eastern Road, Romford, Essex, RM1 3PJ.

Canterbury Clinic – serving East Kent and surrounding areas

Address: 12-17 Upper Bridge Street, Canterbury, CT1 2NF, United Kingdom.


We use ultrasound-guided assessments for accurate diagnosis, precision-guided injection therapies, and tailored rehabilitation plans to help reduce pain and stiffness while restoring your shoulder movement, allowing you to return to your daily activities with confidence.

Schedule your consultation now!