Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder) occurs when the capsule of connective tissue around the shoulder joint tightens and thickens, thus restricting movement. The exact cause is unknown, although it is more common in middle aged adults, particularly women. It begins gradually and continually gets worse, typically over one or two years. The risk of developing frozen shoulder increases if you have had a procedure that affects the mobility of your arm.
Three stages of frozen shoulder
- Painful stage: Range of motion becomes limited and pain occurs with movement
- Frozen stage: Shoulder becomes stiff; pain may subside a bit during this stage
- Thawing stage: Range of motion begins to improve
Treatment Options
Treatment options include stretching, injections of cortisone, and possibly surgery. If you start to experience pain or stiffness in your shoulder, call 541-322-2352 to make an appointment with one of our Orthopedic Surgeons.
