Adhesive capsulitis of shoulder

Updated: 2023-07-18

Description

A condition involving stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. Also known as frozen shoulder.

Overview

Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, involves shoulder joint pain and stiffness. Having to keep a shoulder still for a long period increases the risk of developing frozen shoulder. This might happen after having surgery or breaking an arm.

Symptoms

Symptoms typically begin slowly, then get worse. Over time, symptoms get better, usually within 1 to 3 years.

Treatments

Treatment involves controlling shoulder pain and keeping as much range of motion in the shoulder as possible. Treatments include pain relief medicines and physical therapy. For more-serious cases, injecting corticosteroids and numbing medications into the joint capsule can help. In some cases, surgery is used to loosen the joint capsule.