Frozen shoulder, also known as adehesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. Signs and symptoms typically begin gradually and can last up to 18 months. Frozen shoulder falls into 3 stages:

Freezing stage:
Any movement of you shoulder causes pain and you shoulder range of motion gradually starts to decrease

Frozen Stage:
Pain may begin to decrease during this stage however, your shoulder becomes stiffer and you will find it hard to do certain movements such as bringing the hand over your head or behind your back

Thawing stage:
The range of motion in your shoulder gradually improves. Risk factors for this include age and sex (women aged 40 and older), previous trauma to the shoulder and systemic disease such as diabetes, thyroid problems, cardiovascular disease, TB and Parkinson’s.

Our physiotherapists at Louth Physiotherapy will be able to assess your shoulder pain and provide you with range of motion exercises to help you restore as much movement as possible. You may also need to take medication such as anti-inflammatories to help with your pain. If pain persists and your Physiotherapist thinks you need further input, you may be referred to a consultant for possible steroid injection.