Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capulitis, is a condition where the tissues around the shoulder joint tighten. There is a gradual onset of pain around the shoulder, which gets progressively worse. It may prevent the sufferer from being able to sleep on the affected shoulder.
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Frozen Shoulder
What are the symptoms of frozen shoulder?
There is a gradual onset of pain around the shoulder, which gets progressively worse. It may prevent the sufferer from being able to sleep on the affected shoulder.
There is also restricted movement or stiffness at the shoulder that may become severe enough to interfere with daily activities of living such as washing and dressing.
How does frozen shoulder occur?
- The exact reason for the disease is unknown and many cases occur spontaneously.
- It may occur following an injury to the shoulder.
- Patients who have diabetes or dupuyten’s disease are more susceptible to the disease.
What is the treatment for frozen shoulder?
If left untreated the condition may resolve eventually after a period of about two years. This is not a guarantee of return to pain free normal movement.
The treatment options include:
- Physiotherapy to reduce pain and stiffness
- Injections in the shoulder joint
- Manipulation under anaesthesia. In the situation regional anaesthesia is used to prevent pain whilst the arm is moved to the limits of the normal range of motion. By doing this, the capsule around the shoulder joint is torn thereby allowing the shoulder to move more freely.
- Surgical release. This may be done either as a keyhole or arthroscopic procedure where the tightened tissues are cut, again allowing the shoulder to move more freely.
Contact us
To ask a question about frozen shoulder or to book an appointment, contact our specialist team available Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm. Our shoulder team have a dedicated and caring approach and will seek to find you the earliest appointment possible with the correct specialist for your needs.
If you are self-paying you don’t need a referral from your GP. You can simply refer yourself and book an appointment. If you have medical insurance (e.g. Bupa, Axa PPP, Aviva), you will need to contact your insurer for authorisation for any treatment and, in most cases, you will require a referral letter from your GP.
If you do not have a GP, then we have an in-house private GP practice that you can use. Alternatively we can suggest the most appropriate course of action for you to take, given your location and individual circumstance.
Call us on 020 7806 4004 or email us at [email protected].
Shoulder Clinic
With a team of experts, our London-based Shoulder Unit offers diagnosis and treatment of injuries and musculoskeletal conditions affecting the shoulder. Our state-of-the-art facilities include operating theatres, physiotherapy and imaging.
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Make an enquiry
If you have any questions relating to treatment options or pricing information, get in touch with us by filling out one of our contact boxes or giving us a call on 020 7806 4004.
Our Appointments Team have a dedicated and caring approach to finding you the earliest appointment possible with the best specialist.
If you are self-paying you don’t need a referral from your GP for a consultation. You can simply refer yourself* and book an appointment.
If you have health insurance (e.g. Bupa, Axa Health, Aviva), you will need to contact your insurer to get authorisation before any treatment, and in most cases you will also require a referral letter from your GP.
If you are not registered with a GP, we have an in-house private GP practice you can use. Alternatively, we can suggest the most appropriate course of action for you to take, given your location and individual circumstances.
*Please note – for investigations such as X-rays and MRIs, a referral will be required. However, we may be able to arrange this for you through our on-site private GP.
