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Definition  

Frozen shoulder is a tightening of the shoulder joint. It results in a loss of movement and pain at the shoulder joint.

In frozen shoulder:

  • Active range of motion is lost—You cannot move your shoulder well.
  • Passive range of motion is lost—Someone trying to move your arm at the shoulder joint will find it stiff and difficult to move.

This condition may get worse over time. After a period of time, the shoulder may also improve spontaneously. This improvement is called thawing.

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Frozen Shoulder  
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Causes  

Frozen shoulder is caused by tightening of the soft tissues. This includes the capsule that surrounds the joint.

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Risk Factors  

Factors that increase your risk for frozen shoulder include:

  • Diabetes
  • Thyroid problems
  • Disc problems in your neck
  • Injuries to the shoulder
  • Illness or injury that forces you to keep the shoulder immobile for a period of time
  • Heart and/or lung disease, during which time you do not move the shoulder normally
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Symptoms  

Symptoms include:

  • Painful shoulder
  • Inability to move the arm at the shoulder joint, either by yourself or by someone else
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Diagnosis  

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam. The doctor will test the range of motion in your shoulder.

Tests may include:

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Treatment  

Treatment focuses on:

  • Relieving pain
  • Restoring function and range of motion to the shoulder

Nonsurgical Options