By Dr. Aditya Jain, Orthopaedic Surgeon (MBBS, MS Ortho, DNB) | DMC Reg. No. 76740

Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is a condition where the shoulder becomes painful and stiff, making everyday movements like combing hair, dressing or reaching behind the back difficult.

What happens in a frozen shoulder?

The capsule, the tissue that surrounds the shoulder joint, becomes inflamed and thickened. This limits the movement of the joint, both when you move it yourself and when someone else tries to move it.

Stages

  1. Freezing stage: pain increases and movement slowly reduces
  2. Frozen stage: pain may ease, but stiffness is at its worst
  3. Thawing stage: movement gradually improves

The whole course can take many months, and sometimes longer.

Common symptoms

  1. Dull or aching shoulder pain, often worse at night
  2. Difficulty lifting the arm or turning it outward
  3. Trouble with simple tasks like wearing a shirt or reaching a shelf
  4. Stiffness that develops gradually without a clear injury

Who is more likely to get it?

  1. People aged around 40 to 60
  2. Those with diabetes or thyroid problems
  3. People who kept the shoulder still for long after an injury, fracture or surgery

How is it diagnosed?

A doctor examines the range of movement of the shoulder.

 X-rays are often done to rule out arthritis or other joint problems, and an MRI may be advised if a rotator cuff tear or another cause is suspected.

Treatment options

  1. Pain relief as advised by the doctor
  2. Supervised physiotherapy and gentle stretching exercises
  3. Heat application to ease stiffness before exercise
  4. Injections into the shoulder joint in selected cases
  5. Procedures to release the tight capsule, considered only when other treatment has not helped

When to see a doctor

Shoulder pain that lasts for weeks, disturbs sleep, or steadily limits movement should be examined rather than ignored. Early evaluation helps separate frozen shoulder from other shoulder problems that need different treatment.

Takeaway: Frozen shoulder usually improves with time and proper exercises, but the right plan depends on the stage and on ruling out other causes. A clinical examination is the first step.

This article is for patient education only and does not replace an in-person medical consultation.