Overview
Frozen shoulder is a condition in which the shoulder becomes painful and progressively stiff, so that lifting the arm becomes very hard. It develops when the tissue around the joint thickens and tightens, and it is more common in people with diabetes and after a period of not moving the arm. It typically passes through painful, stiff and thawing phases over many months to a couple of years. Exercises, pain relief and sometimes injections help recovery and comfort.
Symptoms
- Shoulder pain, often worse at night
- Gradually increasing stiffness
- Difficulty raising the arm or reaching behind the back
- Trouble with dressing, combing hair or reaching overhead
- Pain and stiffness that build over months
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for a stiff, painful shoulder that limits movement, especially if you have diabetes — early physiotherapy helps.
Causes
Thickening and tightening of the joint capsule, more common with diabetes, thyroid disease, and after an injury or period of shoulder immobility.