Frozen Shoulder Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Manage It Effectively

Frozen Shoulder Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Manage It Effectively

Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
26 January, 2025

Frozen shoulder syndrome is a medical condition faced by 2-5% of the Indian population, with a significantly high number of individuals having to deal with it when they are diabetic. It is also called adhesive capsulitis- where the shoulder joint loses its range of motion over a period of few years. This condition seems to affect more women than men, though we don’t know why. The shoulder joint is super flexible and can work so well because of the rotator cuff. There is extensive lubrication present, along with a group of muscles and connective tissue working in tandem to help you move flawlessly. But, when the connective tissue around the joint thickens due to disuse and tightens around the joint itself, you have to deal with a frozen shoulder.

What Causes Frozen Shoulder And How To Prevent It?

Adhesive capsulitis is a condition where the shoulder joint gradually begins to lose its range of motion and this happens in 3 different stages-

• Freezing stage- where the shoulder is in pain and you can move the joint in a very limited manner. This stage normally lasts for about 2-10 months or even longer in some individuals.
• Frozen stage- this is when you don’t have so much pain but your range of motion is severely limited. It means you cannot raise your hands above your head, behind or any similar movement, because the joint gets stiffer. This can last for almost a year or even less, depending on severity of symptoms.
• Thawing stage- This is when symptoms improve and you can move your shoulder better than before. This can take about 2 years for some people to resolve.

This normally occurs in people who are 40 years of age and above and it can also begin when someone has had an injury involving the shoulder joint. People with thyroid issues, having menopause or Parkinson’s disease are also more prone to suffering from frozen shoulder syndrome.

Early Signs And Symptoms Of Frozen Shoulder

The symptom is just plain old pain, which means we will be more likely to NOT move the shoulder around, causing the condition to worsen. This is why it is named ‘frozen shoulder’ in the first place. This is because it gradually ‘freezes’ into a particular position, because of disuse. It is normally diagnosed using x-rays and simple physical tests- where the doctor will ask you to move it like when you go for a walk, to check the ‘passive range of motion’ and then ask you to exercise to check the ‘active range of motion’. Movement is mostly highly limited for people with this condition. But, you may have these issues even if you have a torn rotator cuff.

Physiotherapy Techniques For Frozen Shoulder Recovery

Physical therapy or exercises can greatly help you increase range of motion and reduce pain, but you need to be patient and follow the regimen very carefully. In general though, it takes about 2 years for your shoulder to ‘thaw’ and begin moving normally. You can do simple exercises like shoulder rolls, wall slides where you slowly slide them above your head, rotator cuff exercises, help with posture and specific muscle, pendulum stretch, etc. among others that your doctor can tell you about. Using heat packs and cold packs can help with the pain, or you could take pain killers.

How Long Does Frozen Shoulder Syndrome Take To Heal?

Healing takes time, as it is dependent on severity of symptoms. Plus, you need to do the exercises properly, for you to see a marked improvement in the range of motion of the shoulder joint. This can take about 2 years or longer usually. 

Conclusion

For most people, only one shoulder gets affected, but it is not too rare for both the shoulders to get frozen within a gap of a few years. The shoulder joint is a very important ball and socket joint which helps us move our hands in many ways- we can rotate them, we can move the hands towards and away from the body, we can straighten the arm and we can rotate it inwards and outwards as needed. As mentioned above, exercise is the best way for you to get better. If it is too severe and exercise and painkillers don’t help, then you may need to go in for surgery or steroid injections, or hydrodilatation- where sterile water is injected into the joint to help it stretch better. Healing is a slow marathon and you will get better soon. You cannot rush treatment or healing any time. 

Frequently Asked Questions

hospital_support

See Full Bio