What is frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is a condition where the shoulder joint capsule becomes inflamed, thickened, and tight, leading to pain and a gradual loss of shoulder movement.
Also known as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder development occurs when the soft tissues surrounding the shoulder lose their normal flexibility. As the capsule tightens, even simple movements such as lifting the arm or reaching behind the back become restricted. Frozen shoulder typically develops slowly and needs supervised care to heal, in contrast to transient shoulder pain.
As stiffness increases, frozen shoulder can interfere with routine activities, including:
- Difficulty lifting the arm overhead for grooming or dressing.
- Pain or restriction while reaching behind the back.
- Sleep disturbance due to shoulder pain, especially when lying on the affected side.
- Reduced ability to perform work, household tasks, or physical activity.
Without appropriate nonsurgical frozen shoulder treatment, these limitations may persist for several months.
Understanding the Shoulder Joint
The shoulder is a highly mobile joint that depends on a flexible joint capsule, muscles, tendons, and ligaments to allow smooth movement in multiple directions.
In frozen shoulders, inflammation causes the joint capsule to thicken and tighten. This reduces joint space and restricts normal movement, resulting in pain and stiffness even during gentle activity.
What Are the stages of Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder typically progresses through three stages, each with distinct symptoms and recovery needs.
Stage 1
Freezing
Pain gradually increases, especially with movement and at night. Shoulder stiffness begins to develop, and range of motion starts reducing.
Stage 2
Frozen
Pain may stabilize or reduce slightly, but stiffness becomes more severe. Shoulder movement is significantly limited, affecting daily activities.
Stage 3
Thawing
Shoulder movement slowly improves as stiffness reduces. With consistent frozen shoulder physiotherapy and medical guidance, function gradually returns.
Understanding frozen shoulder stages helps set realistic recovery expectations.
Symptoms of a Frozen Shoulder
Early evaluation improves frozen shoulder recovery outcomes.
Common symptoms of frozen shoulder include:
- Persistent shoulder pain that worsens with movement.
- Progressive stiffness and reduced range of motion.
- Difficulty lifting, rotating, or stretching the arm.
- Night pain that interferes with sleep.
- Discomfort during routine daily tasks.
Symptoms That Need Medical Evaluation
- Pain lasts for several weeks without improvement.
- Increasing stiffness and loss of movement.
- Night pains affect sleep regularly.
- Difficulty performing daily activities.
Causes and Risk Factors of Frozen Shoulder
The frozen shoulder is caused by inflammation and tightening of the shoulder joint capsule. Factors that increase risk include:
Diabetes
Prolonged shoulder immobilization
Previous shoulder injury or surgery
Thyroid disorders
Avoidance of shoulder movement due to pain
In many patients, frozen shoulders develop gradually without a clear cause.
Diagnosis and Assessment of Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder is diagnosed through a combination of clinical evaluation and medical history.
- Assessment of active and passive shoulder movement.
- Evaluation of pain patterns and stiffness progression.
- Review of medical history, including diabetes or prior shoulder injury.
- Imaging tests such as X-rays or MRI may be advised to rule out other shoulder conditions when required.
Advanced Non-Surgical Treatments for Frozen Shoulder
Most cases of frozen shoulders can be managed without surgery. Nonsurgical frozen shoulder treatment focuses on reducing pain, restoring mobility, and supporting recovery.
For patients whose pain and stiffness do not improve with basic care and physiotherapy alone, advanced non-surgical treatments may be recommended. These treatments are selected based on the stage of frozen shoulder, pain severity, and functional limitation.
The Nivaan Way
At Nivaan Pain Clinic, all advanced non-surgical interventions are performed with precision under real-time imaging guidance, such as C-arm fluoroscopy or ultrasound, to ensure accurate targeting, improved safety, and superior outcomes.
Image-Guided Steroid Injections
Hydrodilatation
Trigger Point Injections
Regenerative Medicine (PRP)
Recovery Support: Physiotherapy, Nutrition, and Pain Counselling
Recovery from a frozen shoulder is more effective when medical treatment is supported by structured rehabilitation and daily care.
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Pain counselling and emotional support
Nutrition support
Together, this integrated support helps patients recover more comfortably and return to daily activities with confidence.
When to See an Interventional Pain Specialist?
You should consult a specialist if:
- Shoulder pain persists for several weeks.
- Stiffness continues to worsen.
- Shoulder movement becomes severely limited.
- Symptoms interfere with daily activities or sleep.
Early specialist care improves outcomes and reduces recovery time.
Our Integrated Non-Surgical Care Pathway
At Nivaan Pain Clinic, frozen shoulder treatment follows a structured approach:
- Comprehensive specialist assessment
- Accurate diagnosis and staging
- Personalized nonsurgical treatment planning
- Guided physiotherapy and recovery monitoring
Book an Appointment for Frozen Shoulder Treatment
If a stiff shoulder or persistent pain is limiting your daily activities, early frozen shoulder treatment can help restore comfort and movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Most patients recover with non-surgical frozen shoulder treatment when managed early.
Recovery timelines vary by stage and individual factors, with improvement typically seen over a few weeks to months.
Physiotherapy is carefully adjusted to improve movement while minimizing pain.
Recurrence is uncommon but possible. Maintaining mobility reduces risk.
Yes. Early treatment improves recovery speed and prevents long-term stiffness.