Frozen Shoulder

Frozen Shoulder Care at UVM Health

Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, occurs when the lining inside your shoulder joint becomes inflamed and shrinks. This can cause pain, stiffness and severely limited range of motion in your shoulder. Most people fully recover from frozen shoulder, although the healing process can take several months or even years.

At University of Vermont Health, you have access to shoulder experts who specialize in frozen shoulder treatment. We provide leading-edge therapies to help you heal and get back to the activities you love.

A medical provider helps a patient stretch their arm.

Why Choose UVM Health?

As one of the leading orthopedic programs in the region, we offer:

Specialized expertise: Our sports medicine and orthopedic surgeons have special training in frozen shoulder care. We are experts in ultrasound-guided shoulder injections, an effective nonsurgical treatment for frozen shoulder.
Patient-centered approach: We spend time with you to learn more about your concerns, personal goals and treatment preferences. Our care plans prioritize a nonsurgical approach, only turning to surgery when it’s the most effective choice.
Research emphasis: As part of a health system anchored by an academic medical center, our physicians are active researchers, many of whom are training the next generation of experts. We are at the forefront of research into shoulder care.

What Causes Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder sometimes develops after an injury or surgery. But more often, you may not be able to point to one direct cause of your symptoms.

Doctors classify types of frozen shoulder by the underlying cause. You may have:

Idiopathic type: There’s no known underlying cause. This is the most common type of adhesive capsulitis.
Diabetic type: Frozen shoulder is more likely to develop in people with diabetes.
Post-traumatic type: Frozen shoulder that develops after a shoulder injury.
Post-surgical type: Frozen shoulder that develops after a shoulder surgery.

Diagnosing Frozen Shoulder

When diagnosing frozen shoulder, your provider will examine your shoulder and ask about your symptoms. They’ll want to know when your symptoms started, how they’ve progressed and what, if anything, relieves them. They may order X-rays, imaging tests that use low doses of radiation, to rule out other causes of shoulder pain, such as arthritis or a shoulder fracture.

Frozen Shoulder Treatment

Most people heal from frozen shoulder with nonsurgical treatment. But it’s important to understand that the healing process may take up to two years.

Your shoulder specialist will work with you to find an effective treatment plan and support you as you heal. They will walk you through what to expect throughout treatment, which may include:

Activity Modification for Frozen Shoulder

Specific movements may trigger or worsen your symptoms. Try to avoid sudden movements to help keep the pain under control while you heal.

Medication for Frozen Shoulder

You may take medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen. Doctors typically advise against taking stronger pain medications for frozen shoulder. Full recovery can take a long time, and stronger pain medicines should typically only be used short-term.

Physical Therapy for Frozen Shoulder

As you heal, you may participate in physical therapy. A physical therapist can teach you stretching and strengthening exercises to help maintain and increase your range of motion. It’s important to focus only on stretching until you’ve regained full range of motion in your shoulder.

Injections for Frozen Shoulder

Cortisone injections are an effective treatment for many people with adhesive capsulitis. Your provider uses ultrasound guidance to deliver cortisone directly to your shoulder joint. The injection relieves pain and inflammation and often speeds recovery.

Arthroscopic Surgery for Frozen Shoulder

In severe cases, some people may benefit from an arthroscopic capsular release. In this procedure, your surgeon uses a long, flexible tool with a camera (arthroscope) and special surgical tools. They make incisions (cuts) through scar tissue and other tight tissues to restore range of motion.