Do you feel pain or stiffness when raising your arm, reaching behind your back, or doing something simple like washing your hair? If these movements feel restricted, you may be dealing with frozen shoulder.

Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition where the shoulder joint becomes painfully stiff and difficult to move, almost like a door hinge that has rusted shut. This happens because the capsule surrounding the joint thickens, tightens, and develops scar tissue, limiting motion and causing inflammation. The exact cause isn’t always clear, but it’s often linked to injury, surgery, medical conditions like diabetes or thyroid disorders, or simply not using the shoulder for a period of time.

The Three Stages of Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder progresses through three key stages, each affecting mobility and function differently. Early diagnosis and consistent treatment are key to managing frozen shoulder effectively and reducing long-term limitations.

• Freezing Phase (3–9 months): Shoulder pain increases, and movement becomes progressively restricted. Early intervention with physical therapy can help slow progression and improve long-term outcomes.
• Frozen Phase (9–15 months): Stiffness is at its peak, significantly limiting daily activities. While pain may start to decrease, mobility remains severely restricted. Physical therapy during this stage focuses on maintaining function and preventing further joint deterioration.
• Thawing Phase (Up to 2 years): Mobility gradually improves as the shoulder loosens, though full recovery can take time. A structured rehabilitation plan is essential for restoring strength and function.

Frozen shoulder is most common in people between the ages of 40 and 60, with women being more often affected. It's also more likely in people with Type II diabetes since the body heals differently, making it harder for the shoulder to move freely. People who’ve had shoulder surgery can also develop frozen shoulder if they don’t follow their home exercise program, which can lead to more stiffness and pain.

Treatment Options

Treatment usually starts with physical therapy. This includes a combination of exercises (both in the clinic and at home) and manual stretching to improve mobility. Pain-relieving treatments may also help manage discomfort.

If physical therapy doesn’t bring relief, a steroid injection might help manage pain and make therapy more effective. In severe cases, surgery could be necessary to restore movement, followed by continued physical therapy to keep the shoulder from stiffening again.

If you’ve been dealing with shoulder pain for more than six weeks or think you might have frozen shoulder, click here to schedule an appointment with one of our shoulder specialists. We can determine if physical therapy is the right solution to help you regain full shoulder function.