Overview
About Frozen Shoulder Treatment
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a condition characterised by progressive inflammation and thickening of the shoulder joint capsule, leading to severe stiffness and pain. It progresses through three phases: the painful freezing phase, the stiff frozen phase, and the gradual thawing phase. Without treatment, the natural history spans 18–24 months. Treatment significantly accelerates recovery and reduces pain through a combination of physiotherapy, steroid injections, hydrodilatation, and in resistant cases, manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) or arthroscopic capsular release.
Key Benefits
Structured phase-appropriate treatment for each stage of frozen shoulder
Steroid injections in the early painful phase provide rapid relief
Physiotherapy guided mobilisation progressively restores range of motion
Hydrodilatation (joint distension) stretches the tight capsule effectively
MUA or arthroscopic release for resistant cases — restores motion rapidly
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes frozen shoulder?
The exact cause is often unknown (primary frozen shoulder). It can also follow shoulder injury, surgery, or prolonged immobilisation (secondary). It is more common in women aged 40–60, diabetics, and those with thyroid disorders.
How long does frozen shoulder last?
Without treatment, frozen shoulder naturally resolves in 18–24 months. With appropriate treatment, recovery is significantly faster — most patients see good improvement in 3–6 months.
What is hydrodilatation?
Hydrodilatation involves injecting a mixture of saline and steroid into the shoulder joint under image guidance to distend (stretch) the contracted capsule. It is a very effective treatment in the frozen phase, significantly improving range of motion.
What is manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA)?
MUA involves gently moving the shoulder through its full range of motion while the patient is under anaesthesia, breaking down the capsular adhesions causing stiffness. It provides rapid restoration of movement and is very effective for persistent frozen shoulder.
Will frozen shoulder come back after treatment?
Recurrence in the same shoulder is rare (less than 5%). However, the other shoulder develops frozen shoulder in about 10–15% of patients. Maintaining shoulder mobility exercises long-term reduces this risk.