Frozen shoulder
A stiff, painful shoulder that's hard to move. Frozen shoulder is common and very treatable — the aim is to ease your pain and shorten a naturally slow recovery.
Frozen shoulder (also called adhesive capsulitis) happens when the lining of the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, thickened and tight. It causes pain and a gradual loss of movement, but with the right treatment we can settle the pain and get you moving again far sooner.
What are the symptoms?
- A deep, aching pain — often worse at night and when lying on that side
- Increasing stiffness, making it hard to reach up, behind your back, or across your body
- Difficulty with everyday tasks like dressing, washing your hair or reaching a seatbelt
What causes it?
Often there's no obvious reason. Sometimes it follows a minor injury, a fall or shoulder surgery. It's more common if you have diabetes or a thyroid condition, and it usually affects people between 40 and 60.
How is it diagnosed?
Mr Corner can usually diagnose a frozen shoulder from your symptoms and a simple examination. Occasionally an X-ray or scan is used to rule out other causes such as arthritis.
Treatment options
Without surgery
Most frozen shoulders improve without an operation. Treatment is matched to the stage you're in and may include painkillers, physiotherapy to keep the shoulder moving, and a steroid injection into the joint, which can settle the pain quickly — especially early on.
If stiffness persists
For a shoulder that stays stiff or is slow to improve, Mr Corner may recommend an arthroscopic (keyhole) capsular release or a manipulation under anaesthetic. Both are day-case procedures that free up the tight lining and restore movement.
What to expect during recovery
Left alone, a frozen shoulder moves through three phases — painful, stiff, then thawing — and can take up to two to three years to fully settle. The point of treatment is to control the pain and shorten that journey considerably, supported by a clear physiotherapy plan.
Frequently asked questions
Will my frozen shoulder get better on its own?
Usually yes, but it can take a very long time. Treatment such as an injection and physiotherapy helps you get there sooner and with far less pain.
Do I need surgery for a frozen shoulder?
Most people don't. Injections and physiotherapy settle the majority of cases. Keyhole release or manipulation is reserved for shoulders that stay stubbornly stiff.
How soon will I feel better?
Many people notice real improvement within weeks of an injection and starting physiotherapy, though full recovery varies from person to person.
Take the first step towards a pain-free shoulder or elbow
Book online, call 07590 880438, or send an enquiry. Mr Corner sees patients at Spire Harpenden and One Stop Healthcare, Hemel Hempstead.