Frozen Shoulder

Also Known as

• Adhesive capsulitis

What is it?

• A disorder of the shoulder characterised by first pain and then stiffness with the result being loss of movement.

Epidemiology

• More prevalent in women then men
• Patients generally aged between 40 and 70 years old
• More common in non-dominant shoulder.

Aetiology

• Cause known
• Possibly autoimmune related
• Precipitating factors - immobility of the arm or preceeding trauma
• More common in patients with diabetes, thyroid disease and ischemic heart disease
• Involves thickening and contraction of the capsule around the shoulder.

History

• Depends on the stage of presentation
• Pain
• Character - dull, aching
• Worsened by movement
• Limited movement of the shoulder.

Clinical Features / Examination

The condition has three phases: