Frozen Shoulder – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Posted on: Jun 6, 2025 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Frozen Shoulder – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Frozen Shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a condition that makes the shoulder joint stiff, reducing its mobility and agility. The exact causes of adhesive capsulitis are not clear, but the symptoms develop gradually in this case. The condition reverses on its own in 12 to 36 months.

All You Need to Know about Frozen Shoulder

When the tissues around the joint (capsules) are swollen or inflamed, it affects the movement of the ball-and-socket joint in the shoulder. The joints become scarred and stiff, which limits the shoulder's movements.

The three stages of a frozen shoulder you should know about are:

• Freezing – Pain and reduced shoulder mobility

• Frozen – Reduced pain but increased stiffness and reduced mobility

• Thawing – Improved mobility of the shoulders

Triggers of Adhesive Capsulitis

Usually, these are the triggers and risk factors of adhesive capsulitis:

• Thickened capsules surrounding the shoulder joints

• People, especially women aged 40 and above

• Restricted shoulder movement due to problems like stroke, recovery from a recent surgery, injuries to the rotator cuff, fractures, etc.

• Pre-existing ailments like diabetes, Parkinson’s, cardiovascular ailments, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism

Diagnosis and Treatment of Adhesive Capsulitis

Physical examinations, X-rays, MRIs and other scans are some of the tests doctors recommend to diagnose frozen shoulder and rule out other ailments.

Doctors may use one of the following treatment procedures to treat this condition:

• Physical therapies involving simple exercises to improve shoulder movement

• Medications to control the pain and inflammation in the tissues surrounding the shoulder joints

• Corticosteroid injections to control severe shoulder pain

• Sterile water injections, called hydro dilatation, are used to make the tissues in the joints stretchy and improve mobility

• Shoulder manipulation, where your shoulder joints are made numb and moved in different directions to improve flexibility

• Surgery (in rare cases), where the scarred/inflamed tissues around the shoulder joints are removed

Conclusion

Adhesive capsulitis is not a life-threatening condition, and in most cases, it corrects itself within a few years. As long as you keep your shoulder joints moving and follow the exercises recommended by your physical therapist, you can manage this condition without any hassles.

These physical therapies, injections and medications can cost you a lot. To ensure your medical expenses are covered, it's essential to check health insurance online and select a policy that meets your needs.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

Best Exercises for Frozen Shoulder Pain Relief

How to get rid of the hump on the back of your neck?

Best Exercises to Increase Core Strength

Best Ab-Building Exercises: Strengthen Your Core