Doctor Back Pain's Briefs - Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder syndrome, clinically known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful and debilitating condition affecting up to 5% of the population. Adhesive capsulitis is considered to be fibrosis of the glenohumeral joint capsule with a chronic inflammatory response. Patients experience pain, limited range of motion, and disability generally lasting anywhere from 1 to 24 months.

Presentation of this disorder varies greatly depending on the stage at which the patient presents for examination however it usually affects patients over 40 years of age. There are three main stages of adhesive capsulitis: Freezing, Frozen and Thawing.

Causes of Frozen Shoulder
Various theories have been suggested. However, the causes of adhesive capsulitis are still not fully understood.

It is generally more common in women than men. It can affect either shoulder, although it most commonly affects the non-dominant shoulder.

A fall onto an outstretched hand up to 6 months prior to the onset of shoulder pain is thought to be a possible contributor to the onset of adhesive capsulitis.