• Regain Mobility

    With Advanced Techniques

  • Shoulder Pain

    Treatment Options

  • Celebrate Freedom

    From Knee Pain

  • Is Surgery Required?

    Understand Your Options

  • Returning to a Pain Free and

    Active Lifestyle

  • Dr Matthew Wilkinson

    Specialised in Arthroplasty & Sports Injuries of Hip, Knee and Upper Limb

    Read More
  • Peace of Mind

    Your Local Team

  • Play
  • Pause

Frozen Shoulder

What is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by pain and loss of motion in the shoulder joint. It is more common in older adults aged between 40 and 60 years and is more common in women than men.

  Frozen Shoulder

Causes of Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder is caused by inflammation of the ligaments holding the shoulder bones to each other. The shoulder capsule becomes thick, tight, and the stiff bands of tissue called adhesions may develop. Individuals with shoulder injury, shoulder surgeries, shoulder immobilized for longer period, other disease conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson’s disease and cardiac diseases are at risk of developing frozen shoulder.

Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder may cause pain and stiffness and limit the movements of the shoulder.

Diagnosis of Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder can be diagnosed by the presenting symptoms and radiological diagnostic procedures such as X-rays or MRI scans. 

Treatment Options for Frozen Shoulder

Conservative Treatments for Frozen Shoulder

Conservative treatment options include:

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroid injections for pain
  • Physiotherapy to improve your range of motion
  • Sometimes heat may be applied to reduce pain.

Surgery for Frozen Shoulder

Your surgeon may recommend shoulder arthroscopy when the conservative treatment does not work. During surgery, the scar tissue will be removed and tight ligaments, if any, will be dissected. Following surgery, physiotherapy will be advised to bring full range of motion and strengthen the muscles.

  • australian-medical-association
  • royal-australian-college-of-surgeons
  • australian-orthopaedic-trauma-society
  • australian-orthopaedic-association
  • queensland-shoulder-society
  • orthopaedic-outreach
  • james-cook-university-australia
  • university-of-queensland-australia