Frozen Shoulder Symptoms

How is the diagnosis of a frozen shoulder made?

A frozen shoulder causes a typical set of symptoms that can be identified by your doctor. The most important finding is restricted movement. Other shoulder conditions can cause difficulty with movement of the shoulder, such as a rotator cuff tear; therefore it is important to have an examiner familiar with this condition for a proper diagnosis.

What are the typical symptoms of a frozen shoulder?

• Shoulder pain; usually a dull, aching pain

• Limited movement of the shoulder

• Difficulty with activities such as brushing hair, putting on shirts/bras

• Pain when trying to sleep on the affected shoulder

What are the stages of a frozen shoulder?

• Painful/Freezing Stage
  This is the most painful stage of a frozen shoulder. Motion is restricted, but the shoulder is not as stiff as the frozen stage. This painful stage typically lasts 6-12 weeks.

• Frozen Stage
  During the frozen stage, the pain usually eases up, but the stiffness worsens. The frozen stage can last 4-6 months.

• Thawing Stage
  The thawing stage is gradual, and motion steadily improves over a lengthy period of time. The thawing stage can last more than a year.

What tests are needed to diagnose a frozen shoulder?
Most often, a frozen shoulder can be diagnosed on examination, and no special tests are needed. An x-ray is usually obtained to ensure the shoulder joint appears normal, and there is not evidence of traumatic injury or arthritic changes to the joint. An MRI is sometimes performed if the diagnosis is in question, but this test is better at looking for other problems, rather than looking for frozen shoulder. If an MRI is done, it is best performed with an injection of contrast fluid into the shoulder joint prior to the MRI. This will help show if the capsule of the shoulder is scarred down, as would be expected in patients with a frozen shoulder.

Read on for information about the treatment of a frozen shoulder...