Login | May 09, 2025
Frozen shoulder
PETE GLADDEN
Pete’s World
Published: November 27, 2023
Let’s take a quick look at a pretty common orthopedic ailment, an ailment that I’ve occasionally encountered over my years as a coach and personal trainer.
Now most of you might recognize this orthopedic issue by the name of “frozen shoulder,” though in medical terminology it’s known as adhesive capsulitis.
Nonetheless, that frozen shoulder term really epitomizes what’s going on within the shoulder joint.
So a frozen shoulder typically displays as pain, stiffness and immobility within the shoulder joint.
It’s signs and symptoms can begin slowly and subtly, then worsen over time.
It can also dissipate just as slowly and subtly.
Studies have shown that about five percent of the population will experience this malady, and interestedly enough, frozen shoulder seems to occur more frequently in females than males.
Now it’s not crystal clear to the orthopedic world as to exactly why this malady even occurs, let alone why it’s more prevalent in females than males.
Some in the medical community believe that certain medical conditions can put one at a higher risk for frozen shoulder, conditions such as diabetes, thyroid issues, cardiovascular problems and Parkinson’s Disease.
But it’s generally accepted that this debilitating shoulder issue typically happens after an injury and/or after a shoulder has been immobilized for a long period of time such as post-shoulder surgery or post-arm fracture.
Now to better understand this frozen shoulder issue, a general understanding of shoulder anatomy is helpful.
Thus, know that the shoulder is a ball and socket joint that allows for a very remarkably wide range of motion compared to the body’s other joints.
And there are some 17 different muscles crossing the shoulder that assist in its myriad of movement patterns.
Underlying that multilayered collection of muscles is the shoulder capsule where there are a group of ligaments which help to keep the shoulder joint in its proper position, and the labrum, a rim of cartilage surrounding the socket which also functions to keep the shoulder stabilized.
Such a complex anatomy tells us that there’s a whole lot going on with respect to the shoulder.
So a frozen shoulder primarily involves that joint capsule and its connective tissues, which when injured via trauma or arthritis, can thicken, swell and then contract.
Subsequently, scar tissue can build up causing less room for the upper arm to move around the shoulder socket thereby impeding shoulder movement. And as noted earlier, this freezing process can develop through a series of incremental stages, where at first the shoulder displays pain and stiffness and then progressively begins to display a loss of mobility.
The second stage is the actual frozen shoulder, where the pain and swelling might dissipate a bit but that freezing feeling of immobility becomes bad enough to limit everyday tasks.
Stage three is termed the “thawing” stage and basically signals a reversal away from the frozen stage.
It’s usually during that second stage of this malady when individuals decide to seek the assistance of a healthcare professional. And a healthcare professional will likely have the patient perform several mobility tests to assess shoulder movement limitations and to see if there’s any movement associated pain.
A frozen shoulder diagnosis can usually be accomplished via these mobility tests and symptoms alone but sometimes imaging tests are used to help rule out other shoulder related problems.
Typically the treatment for frozen shoulder revolves around reducing pain and inflammation and preventing the shoulder from becoming stiffer.
Non-surgical treatment plans are usually employed first, especially with an early diagnosis. And such non-surgical plans can include physical therapy to help restore lost range of motion and anti-inflammatory meds and/or corticosteroid injections to help reduce pain and swelling.
Additions to non-surgical plans could also include the use of ultrasound treatments. Surgical treatments can be deemed appropriate for severe cases and/or when those nonsurgical treatments are unsuccessful.
Now the crazy thing about frozen shoulder is that it can sometimes actually resolve itself but this resolution process could take one to three years.
That’s why it’s prudent to see a healthcare professional when you begin to note pain and/or stiffness in the shoulder. And if frozen shoulder is indeed the diagnosis it’s imperative that one’s physical therapy routine is adhered to, which might possibly involve many months of work.
Finally, if you do happen to incur a shoulder or arm injury that’s required immobilization, be proactive and check with your healthcare professional about physical therapy exercises which can help to prevent a frozen shoulder.