A frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by pain, stiffness, and limited movement in the shoulder joint. It occurs when the connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint, called the shoulder capsule, thickens, tightens, and becomes inflamed, leading to restricted motion and difficulty moving the shoulder both voluntarily and passively
. The condition typically develops gradually in three stages:
- Freezing stage: Increasing pain and progressive loss of shoulder motion, lasting from about 6 weeks to 9 months.
- Frozen stage: Pain may lessen but stiffness remains severe, making daily activities difficult; this stage lasts 4 to 12 months.
- Thawing stage: Gradual improvement in shoulder movement, often taking 6 months to 2 years for near full recovery
Frozen shoulder most commonly affects people aged 40 to 60 and is more frequent in women. Risk factors include diabetes, thyroid disorders, and prolonged immobilization of the shoulder after injury or surgery
. Treatment focuses on physical therapy to restore range of motion, pain management with medications like NSAIDs or corticosteroid injections, and in rare cases, surgery to loosen the joint capsule
. The condition usually resolves within 1 to 3 years, though recovery can be slow
. In summary, frozen shoulder is a painful and disabling condition caused by inflammation and tightening of the shoulder capsule, leading to stiffness and restricted shoulder movement that improves gradually over time with appropriate treatment.
