FROZEN SHOULDER

COMMON TERMS

frozen shoulder, stiff shoulder

TECHNICAL TERMS

adhesive capsulitis, capsular contracture, axillary pouch/recess obliteration

WHAT IT IS

The shoulder joint capsule becomes inflamed, thickens, and tightens, severely restricting movement

SYMPTOMS

• Pain: Often severe and constant, worse at night, and during movement, making sleep difficult.
• Stiffness: Difficulty with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, or reaching.
• Restricted Movement: Inability to move the shoulder through its full range of motion.

CAUSE

It often develops due to reduced shoulder movement from injury, surgery, or underlying conditions like diabetes and thyroid issues. It most commonly affects adults aged 40–60, particularly women.

TREATMENT

Conservative treatment is recommended for mild cases:

• Physiotherapy & Exercises: Consistent, gentle exercises are crucial to maintain motion. Common exercises include the pendulum stretch and wall walks (walking fingers up the wall).
• Pain Management: Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or paracetamol help reduce pain and inflammation.
• Steroid Injections: Corticosteroid injections, often guided by ultrasound, can significantly reduce pain and improve mobility, particularly in the early stages.
• Hydrodilatation (Hydrodistension): This involves injecting sterile water or saline with a steroid into the shoulder joint to stretch the capsule.
• Heat/Ice Therapy: Applying heat or ice packs can help manage pain.
• Surgery/Procedures: If non-surgical methods fail, procedures such as manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) or arthroscopic capsule release may be used to break up scar tissue.