Frozen shoulder: understanding your treatment options

Frozen shoulder treatment options

Frozen shoulder causes pain together with restricted shoulder movement. Not every painful shoulder is a frozen shoulder; diagnosis involves reviewing symptoms and examining the shoulder.

What will the doctor assess?

The doctor will check shoulder movement both when you move your arm yourself and when the doctor moves it for you. Mention any history of diabetes, thyroid disease, injury or a period when the shoulder was kept still.

Does treatment always involve surgery?

Treatment usually starts with pain control and restoring movement through exercises and physiotherapy. An injection may also be discussed for some people. If nonsurgical treatments are not enough, surgery can be discussed. Improvement may take time, and the plan should suit the condition of your shoulder.

Questions to ask at your appointment

• Which examination findings support the diagnosis of frozen shoulder?
• Which movements are suitable for my shoulder at its current stage?
• Is the proposed treatment mainly intended to reduce pain or improve movement?
• When should I return to assess the result?

Further reading

• A guide to shoulder services and treatments
• Arrange an appointment to assess shoulder pain and stiffness

Sources

1. https://www.orthoinfo.org/diseases--conditions/frozen-shoulder/
2. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/frozen-shoulder/