Are You Worried About A Frozen Shoulder Diagnosis? 

Many Frozen Shoulder diagnoses are simply incorrect. This condition only affect 1-2% of the population; and most commonly occurs in females aged between 40-60 – although there are exceptions to this occurrence. 

A ‘Frozen Shoulder’ is a highly painful inflammation and stiffening of the shoulder joint. The main symptoms are:

• Difficulty rotating the arm – such as reaching behind the back, reaching behind for your wallet or bra strap, and moving the hand away from the body with your elbow pinned at the side.
• Stiffness during overhead movements. There is often a complete inability to move the hand overhead. 
• Night pain which may improve with anti-inflammatories. 

Although it only affects 1-2% of the general population, the incidence of a Frozen Shoulder can impact over 10% of diabetics.

A Frozen Shoulder will go through 3 distinct stages. The first is a ‘Freezing Stage’. During this stage you will gradually lose range of movement in your shoulder. It is common that people can not reach behind their back or rotate their arm outwards at all. They can often not lift their hand above shoulder height. It is highly painful; and inflammatory in nature – meaning it is an almost unrelenting constant pain.

As you progress into the second ‘Frozen Stage’, your pain will dissipate significantly, unless you jar your shoulder into an awkward position. The stiffness and loss of movement characterised by the first stage will persist.

In the third and final stage, your shoulder will ‘Thaw’. Your shoulder will gradually regain movement. During this stage, it is important that you stretch and move your shoulder within tolerable pain limits; so that you regain your full function. 

The recovery for this condition can span 12-24 months. As such, an early diagnosis is necessary. Your Physiotherapist can guide you for an early cortisone injection if indicated. Whilst not always indicated, this can reduce the pain you are experiencing in the early stages of your condition.