Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) typically develops gradually and worsens over time. The good news? Frozen shoulder usually resolves. The bad news? Pain-free mobility may not return for 1-3 years without specialty care.
Board-certified orthopedist Dr. Sumit Dewanjee at FXRX in Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona, provides top-level services for muscle strains, tendon tears, joint pain, and other conditions that affect your musculoskeletal health.
Dr. Dewanjee is also known throughout Arizona for his expertise in shoulder treatment. He develops personalized plans designed for optimal results, from injection-based therapies to physical therapy to minimally invasive arthroscopy, sometimes even joint replacement.
Read more from Dr. Dewanjee and our FXRX team about the risks, symptoms, and prognosis of frozen shoulder.
Frozen shoulder occurs when an envelope of connective tissue surrounding the joint (known as the joint capsule) thickens and tightens. This tightening reduces shoulder mobility and function, causing varying degrees of discomfort, inflammation, and stiffness with movement.
Frozen shoulder typically develops in three stages, each with distinct symptoms:
Shoulder movement becomes increasingly painful during this stage (lasting 2-9 months). You may, for instance, find it challenging to raise your arm to or above shoulder height due to pain.
As you favor the shoulder and limit movement to prevent pain, the stiffness worsens and muscle strength decreases.
Pain may diminish during this stage (lasting 4-6 months), but shoulder stiffness remains. Daily activities are significantly impaired due to limited joint movement and decreased strength.
This final stage can last from six months to two years. Shoulder movement gradually improves, and pain lessens, eventually returning to near-normal strength and mobility.
Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing frozen shoulder:
Prolonged immobility or reduced shoulder movement due to injury, surgery, age, or other conditions is a leading cause of frozen shoulder. This might include fractures, rotator cuff injuries, or recovery periods after surgery.
People ages 40-60 are more prone to developing frozen shoulder. An inactive lifestyle or routines that don’t include shoulder-friendly strengthening, flexibility, and range of motion exercises can also increase your risk.
Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders (both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism), cardiovascular disease, and Parkinson's disease are associated with a higher incidence of frozen shoulder.
Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune conditions can increase the risk of frozen shoulder due to inflammation and other related factors.
Depending on the cause, the prognosis for adhesive capsulitis varies, but most people recover fully over time. It can often resolve independently but may take 1-3 years.
Dr. Dewanjee develops customized treatment programs to speed the healing process and, ideally, prevent the condition from progressing to the frozen stage.
For instance, engaging in formal physical therapy or a rehab program following a shoulder injury or surgery helps stretch and strengthen the joint, restoring mobility and reducing pain.
In some cases, Dr. Dewanjee may recommend oral medications, corticosteroid injections, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to reduce inflammation and pain. These treatments can help you participate more fully in rehab and home exercise routines designed to restore function.
Surgery is rarely necessary, but Dr. Dewanjee may recommend it if other treatments fail or you develop chronic pain or loss of function.
Schedule a visit today by calling us FXRX or requesting an appointment online.
