Musculoskeletal Condition · Glastonbury, CT

Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)

Frozen shoulder causes pain and progressive stiffness that limits arm movement. Learn how symptoms are evaluated with Dr. Tortland in Glastonbury, CT.

Written and clinically reviewed by

Paul D. Tortland, DO, FAOASM, CAQSM, RMSK

Dr. Paul Tortland, DO is a non-surgical orthopedic & sports medicine physician specializing in regenerative orthopedics and surgical alternative treatment. He is dual board-certified in Sports Medicine & Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and Regenerative Medicine, Fellowship-trained in Sports Medicine. He became the first physician in the world to earn board certification in Regenerative Medicine in 2015. Diplomate, American Board of Regenerative Medicine (ABRM), 2015. Registered in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (RMSK).

Condition

What is frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is when the sleeve around your shoulder joint thickens and tightens, so the shoulder hurts and will not move. It tends to go through painful and stiff stages and usually eases slowly over many months. Stretching and physical therapy are the base of care. Dr. Paul Tortland, DO, may add ultrasound-guided injections to calm pain so you can keep moving.

Explore related conditions: Browse the Shoulder condition hub for related diagnoses and treatment options.

CARE OPTIONS

How is frozen shoulder treated?

Dr. Tortland’s potential treatment options: Dr. Tortland confirms whether the main problem is adhesive capsulitis rather than a rotator-cuff tear or arthritis. Treatment is stage-dependent; he may discuss a targeted injection when appropriate, but orthobiologic injections such as PRP treatment are not established as a universal treatment for frozen shoulder.

Physical therapy and traditional care: Physical therapy usually emphasizes tolerable mobility and gradual stretching rather than forceful painful stretching. A clinician may consider a corticosteroid injection or other pain-management strategy to help the patient participate in rehabilitation.

When other care may be needed: Recovery can take months and varies. Severe or prolonged stiffness, atypical symptoms, or failure to progress should prompt reassessment of the diagnosis and treatment plan.

Common questions

Questions about frozen shoulder

What causes frozen shoulder?

The shoulder capsule becomes inflamed and thickened. It can follow an injury, surgery or a period of immobility, or occur without a clear cause, and it is more common with diabetes and thyroid conditions and in people in their 40s to 60s.

What are the symptoms of frozen shoulder?

Shoulder pain and progressive stiffness that limits motion in all directions, including reaching overhead or behind the back, often with night pain. It tends to move through painful, stiff and thawing stages over many months.

What are the non-surgical treatment options for frozen shoulder?

Gentle stretching and physical therapy matched to the stage, heat, anti-inflammatory medicine and activity modification are typical first steps. Most people regain much of their motion gradually over months to a couple of years.

Can injections help frozen shoulder?

Targeted injections may be used to ease pain and support mobility during therapy. Dr. Tortland reviews which injection, if any, fits your stage after examination. Surgical options are reserved for cases that do not improve.