Comprehensive, evidence-based roadmap to recovery.
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. It occurs when the capsule of connective tissue that surrounds the shoulder joint thickens and tightens, restricting its movement.
| Common Symptoms | Red Flag Symptoms (See Doctor Immediately) |
|---|---|
| Gradual onset of shoulder pain, often worse at night | Shoulder pain accompanied by fever or swelling |
| Significant restriction in active and passive shoulder movement | Traumatic injury preceding the loss of motion (could indicate a tear or fracture) |
| Difficulty performing daily tasks like dressing or reaching overhead | Numbness or tingling radiating down the arm to the hand |
"Frozen shoulder tests a patient's patience, as it naturally progresses through freezing, frozen, and thawing stages. My clinical focus is to accelerate this timeline. During the painful 'freezing' stage, we manage pain and maintain available movement. In the 'frozen' and 'thawing' stages, we utilize aggressive but safe manual mobilization and targeted stretching to break down adhesions and restore full biomechanical function of the shoulder complex."
While the natural course of the condition can take up to 2-3 years, a structured physiotherapy program can significantly reduce this timeline, often restoring functional mobility within 6 to 9 months depending on the stage of intervention.
No, you should never force movement through sharp, severe pain, especially in the early freezing stage, as this can increase inflammation. Movement should be pushed to the point of a firm stretch or mild discomfort only.
A frozen shoulder restricts both active (you moving it) and passive (someone else moving it) motion. A rotator cuff tear typically causes pain and weakness with active movement, but a physiotherapist can often still move your arm passively through its full range.