Frozen Shoulder is a common clinical ailment. Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a medical condition where a shoulder becomes extremely painful and stiff. The mobility of the shoulder becomes restricted and when it is at its worst, it is 'frozen' in place. It is believed that the immobility is due to scar-like tissue that forms in the shoulder capsule. Without treatment, symptoms usually diminish but can take two to three years to completely fade.

It is not exactly clear what causes frozen shoulder, but it occasionally follows a shoulder injury. It is believed that the scar tissue forms in the shoulder capsule which cause the capsule (thin tissue covering and protecting the shoulder joint) to become thick, contract, and restrict the movement of the shoulder. It is not known why the scar tissue forms. When a person is afflicted with frozen shoulder, it is very difficult to perform the full range of normal shoulder motion because it is an extremely painful and persistent stiffness of the shoulder joint. It makes it difficult to carry out such daily functions as: driving, putting on clothing, sleeping comfortably, etc.

Frozen shoulder normally develops gradually in 3 stages, with each stage lasting a number of months. The first stage is the Painful Stage. During the painful stage, the pain will emerge when there is movement of the shoulder which begins to limit the shoulder's range of motion. For some people, the pain is more severe at night which can disrupt sleep. Also, putting your hand in the back pocket or scratching your back may become impossible. The painful stage can last from two to nine months. The second stage is the Frozen Stage. During the frozen stage, pain may start to reduce but the shoulder becomes stiffer and the range of motion reduces. The muscles around the shoulder can waste a little because they are not being used. The frozen stage can last anywhere from four to twelve months. The third stage is the Thawing Stage. During the thawing stage, the range of motion in the shoulder starts to improve and gradually returns to normal, or almost normal. The thawing stage can last anywhere from five months to four years.

The severity and length of the symptoms of frozen shoulder can vary. If not treated, the symptoms can last from two to three years before improving. In a minority of cases, symptoms last for up to four years. The symptoms and their severity of frozen shoulder can vary from person to person. Typical symptoms of a frozen shoulder include dull and aching shoulder pain, limited shoulder movement, difficulty with such activities as brushing hair, driving, putting on shirts, performing job tasks, and pain when trying to sleep on the affected shoulder.

Most often, a physical exam can be used to diagnose frozen shoulder. An x-ray is can be taken to make sure the shoulder joint looks normal. An MRI can be done to ensure proper diagnosis and it can show if the capsule of the shoulder is scarred down. There are a number of options to treating frozen shoulder which will be prescribed by the patient's doctor or specialist in the treatment of frozen shoulder.