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"Shoulder Stiffness"

By Jonathan Cluett, M.D., About.com

Updated: September 15, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD

Definition:

Shoulder stiffness is a symptom of several common shoulder problems. Unlike shoulder weakness, where patients can have their arm lifted by the examiner (even if the patient can't on his own), a patient with shoulder stiffness has diminished range of motion even when assisted.

What causes shoulder stiffness?
The most common cause of shoulder stiffness is a frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis. This condition is often misdiagnosed as shoulder bursitis, but can be differentiated with a careful examination. While patients with shoulder bursitis or rotator cuff tears may need help lifting their arm, patients with a frozen shoulder usually cannot get their arm overhead, even with help, and usually cannot reach behind their back.

The other common cause of a stiff shoulder is shoulder arthritis. Shoulder arthritis causes a stiff shoulder by wearing away the normal smooth cartilage surface of the joint, leaving a rough surface. Bone spurs often form as a result of the arthritis and impede the normal motion of the shoulder joint.

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