Frozen shoulder occurs when the capsule around the shoulder joint thickens and tightens, limiting movement and causing inflammation and pain. The process happens gradually and can last for several months—or even years—without proper management.
Who’s at Risk?
Certain groups of people are more likely to develop frozen shoulder, including:
- Adults aged 40–60
- Women (4x more likely than men)
- People with diabetes
- Those with previous shoulder injuries or surgeries
- If you’ve had frozen shoulder in one arm, there’s a 15% chance it could affect the other shoulder within 5 years
The 3 Stages of Frozen Shoulder
Understanding the phase you’re in is key to guiding treatment.
1. Freezing Phase (Painful Stage)
- Lasts 10–36 weeks
- Characterized by severe, burning pain and gradually increasing stiffness
- Pain often worsens at night and with movement
2. Frozen Phase (Stiffness Stage)
- Pain may reduce, but stiffness significantly increases
- Marked loss of external rotation and limited shoulder movement
3. Thawing Phase (Recovery Stage)
- Movement slowly returns
- Full recovery may take 1–4 years
How We Can Help
Effective treatment depends on identifying the current stage of your condition and tailoring care to your needs. Here’s how we approach it:
Physiotherapy: First-Line Treatment
Especially important during the freezing and frozen phases, physiotherapy focuses on:
- Pain relief: Gentle techniques to reduce discomfort and inflammation
- Restoring range of motion (ROM): Targeted mobilization and stretching exercises
Regular physiotherapy can speed up recovery and prevent long-term stiffness.
Steroid Injections
If pain becomes persistent or disabling, steroid injections may be recommended:
- Best used during the early (freezing) phase
- Can be combined with physiotherapy to enhance results
- We can refer you for these injections if needed
Hydrodistension (Intra-Articular Fluid Injection)
This innovative treatment involves injecting fluid into the shoulder joint to stretch the capsule:
- Shown to be more effective than steroid injections alone in improving ROM
- Particularly helpful during the frozen phase
Ask us whether this option is suitable for your condition.
Advanced Care & Referrals
If your case is more complex, we work closely with:
- Sports & Exercise Medicine Doctors
- Orthopaedic Shoulder Consultants
They can offer advanced treatments, including guided injections and rotator interval techniques, which show promise in improving long-term shoulder mobility.
What You Can Expect from Treatment
- Treatment is tailored to your stage and comfort level
- Avoid painful movements but continue gentle activity as tolerated
- Over-the-counter NSAIDs and pain relief may help manage discomfort
- Physiotherapy remains the most effective and proven long-term solution
Advanced interventions like rotator interval injections may soon become standard care, showing promising results for range-of-motion recovery.
Don’t Wait for the Pain to Get Worse
Frozen shoulder can take years to fully recover if left untreated—but with the right guidance and timely intervention, we can help speed up the process.
If you’re experiencing shoulder stiffness or persistent pain, don’t delay.
Reach out to us today to book an assessment or learn more about how we can help.
Let’s work together to restore your shoulder’s health, mobility, and strength.
