Addressing your shoulder symptoms with expert care.
Is shoulder pain and stiffness preventing you from performing simple daily tasks? You may have adhesive capsulitis, commonly known as frozen shoulder. This condition can be painful and debilitating, but effective treatment is available. At St. Luke's Orthopedic Care, our shoulder specialists are experts in treating frozen shoulder, helping you to restore movement and find lasting relief.
What is a frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint. It occurs when the strong connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint (the shoulder capsule) becomes thick, stiff, and inflamed. The condition typically develops slowly and in three stages: freezing, frozen, and thawing. The hallmark signs of frozen shoulder are severe shoulder pain and a progressive loss of motion. Symptoms often include:
- Dull or aching pain in one shoulder.
- Stiffness and a significant decrease in your ability to move the shoulder (both active and passive range of motion).
- Difficulty with daily activities such as reaching overhead, dressing, or sleeping.
Diagnosing and treating frozen shoulder
Our orthopedic team is skilled in identifying the signs of frozen shoulder and creating a non-surgical treatment plan to help you recover. Diagnosis is primarily made through a physical examination, where your doctor will assess your range of motion. They will move your shoulder carefully in all directions to see what movements are limited and if pain occurs. While imaging tests like X-rays or MRI are not typically needed to diagnose frozen shoulder, they may be used to rule out other problems like arthritis or a rotator cuff tear. Following your doctor’s appointment, within your MyChart, adhesive capsulitis will display in your medical records, confirming your frozen shoulder symptoms. Treatment for frozen shoulder focuses on relieving pain and restoring movement. More than 90% of patients improve with non-surgical methods. Your plan at St. Luke's may include:
- Pain and inflammation control: Our Orthopedic Care specialists may recommend NSAIDs or corticosteroid injections to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Physical therapy: This is the cornerstone of treatment. Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s will guide you through specific stretching exercises to restore motion.
- Home exercise program: Your therapist will teach you exercises to do at home to continue your progress.
Why choose St. Luke's for frozen shoulder care?
Our team includes board-certified orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, and dedicated physical therapists who specialize in conditions of the shoulder. We are committed to providing a comprehensive and personalized approach to your care. We emphasize conservative, evidence-based treatments to help you avoid surgery whenever possible. Our goal is to help you achieve a full recovery and return to your activities without pain or limitation. Don't let shoulder stiffness hold you back. St. Luke's offers expert orthopedic care at convenient locations.
Frozen shoulder frequently asked questions
The recovery process can be slow, with symptoms sometimes lasting 1 to 3 years. However, a dedicated physical therapy program can significantly speed up the "thawing" stage.
The exact cause is not fully understood, but it's more likely to occur in people who have had to immobilize their shoulder for a long period, such as after surgery or an arm fracture.
Surgery is rarely required. It is only considered if conservative treatments fail to provide relief after an extended period.
