Peter Hallam MS FRCS (Orth), Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Frozen Shoulder

In a frozen shoulder the baggy lining (capsule) of the shoulder contracts leading to a reduced range of shoulder movement and stiffness.  A frozen shoulder can occur after an injury to the shoulder or spontaneously.  The condition is far more common in diabetics.  The natural history of a frozen shoulder is one of resolution but this can take up to 2-3 years.

 

Symptoms

A painful, stiff shoulder. Sometimes the pain can be very severe and radiate down the whole arm into the hand. 

 

Investigations

X rays and an MRI scan.

 

Treatment

Non-Operative:  Non-operative treatments include physiotherapy and hydrodilation.  A hydrodilation is an injection of local anaesthetic and cortisone under pressure to try and stretch up the contracted capsule to make it baggy again. 

 

Operative:  If the non-operative treatments fail then a keyhole operation can be carried out to release the contracted shoulder capsule (arthroscopic release of adhesions & manipulation)

 

Extra Info