A condition involving stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. Also known as frozen shoulder.
Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, involves shoulder joint pain and stiffness. Having to keep a shoulder still for a long period increases the risk of developing frozen shoulder. This might happen after having surgery or breaking an arm.
Symptoms typically begin slowly, then get worse. Over time, symptoms get better, usually within 1 to 3 years.
Treatment involves managing shoulder pain and keeping as much range of motion in the shoulder as possible. Treatments include pain relief medicines and physical therapy. For people with more serious frozen shoulder, shots of corticosteroids and numbing medicines in the joint can help. Sometimes, surgery is used to loosen the joint capsule.
