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)