What Is Frozen Shoulder and Am I at Risk of Developing It?

If you've noticed your shoulder becoming more stiff and painful, and your range of motion isn’t what it used to be, you might be experiencing a condition known as frozen shoulder. This frustrating condition often develops gradually and can take months, even years, to fully resolve.

Here at Performance Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, serving patients in Shrewsbury, Toms River, and Wall Township, New Jersey, David Dickerson, MD, and Shawn Denning, Jr., DNP, APN, want you to understand what frozen shoulder is, who’s most likely to develop it, and what you can do if your shoulder seems to be “locking up.”

Read on to learn more about this condition.

Understanding frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder, medically called adhesive capsulitis, affects the shoulder joint. The joint is a complex ball-and-socket structure made up of your upper arm bone (humerus), shoulder blade (scapula), and collarbone (clavicle). These bones are surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue that helps stabilize the joint and is lubricated by synovial fluid to ensure smooth movement.

If you have frozen shoulder, that capsule becomes inflamed, thickened, and tight. Over time, this reduces your joint’s ability to move, causing stiffness, pain, and decreased mobility. You also lose some synovial fluid, which worsens the restriction.

How frozen shoulder progresses

Frozen shoulder doesn’t just happen overnight. It usually follows a predictable pattern that unfolds over time in three primary phases:

The freezing phase

This is when pain begins to set in and range of motion starts to decline. It can last anywhere from six weeks to nine months.

The frozen phase

The pain may ease a bit, but stiffness becomes more severe, and everyday tasks like reaching into a cabinet or putting your hair in a ponytail become difficult. This stage often lasts four to six months.

The thawing phase

The final stage brings gradual improvement. Movement and strength start to return. Know that it still may take anywhere from six months to two years for full recovery.

People at risk of developing frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder tends to show up most often in adults between the ages of 40 and 60, and women are more likely to develop it than men. But age and gender aren’t the only risk factors.

You may be more vulnerable if you:

• Have diabetes
• Have thyroid issues (both hyper- and hypothyroidism)
• Have Parkinson’s disease or certain heart conditions
• Have had recent shoulder surgery or an injury that required immobilization

Frozen shoulder often develops after a period of limited shoulder movement, like wearing a sling or recovering from surgery. This is why early movement and physical therapy after an injury are so important.

When to suspect frozen shoulder

The most common symptom of frozen shoulder is dull, aching shoulder pain. You may feel this on the outside of the shoulder or upper arm. Over time, you’ll likely find it harder to lift your arm, reach behind your back, or perform basic motions without discomfort.

If your shoulder pain worsens and movement becomes more restricted, don’t ignore it. Early diagnosis and treatment can help shorten recovery time and prevent further stiffness.

Treatment for frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder usually improves with conservative treatment. Here at Performance Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, we recommend physical therapy, stretching exercises, and anti-inflammatory medications. In some cases, we may recommend corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation. Rarely, patients need surgery to release the tight capsule.

If you think you might have frozen shoulder, don’t wait to get it checked out. With the right care plan, you can get back to comfortable movement. Call Performance Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine today or use the online tool to book your consultation.