Shoulder Stiffness

Shoulder stiffness, typically caused by previous shoulder surgery and adhesive capsulitis, is fairly easy to treat. 

Many people suffer from shoulder stiffness and shoulder pain. One of the main complications from shoulder surgery is stiffness. Although the rate of stiffness following arthroscopic (minimally invasive) shoulder procedures is lower than with open surgery, it still occurs. 

The good news is that stiffness, for the most part, is a relatively easy problem to treat. Most of the time you can achieve full range of motion with either physical therapy or surgery.  

What is adhesive capsulitis?

Adhesive capsulitis, otherwise known as “frozen shoulder,” is a condition we see in our practice every day. It is probably the most frequently under-diagnosed problem related to the shoulder. This is a condition that affects the shoulder joint capsule. 

The joint capsule lies underneath the rotator cuff and covers the shoulder joint itself. This capsule can become inflamed and irritated, resulting in stiffness and pain. In many cases, the inciting factor is unknown and occurs for no apparent reason. We refer to an unknown cause as “idiopathic.” Patients often describe “waking up” with this sort of pain without an obvious injury.  

Women in their 40s are the most common group affected by adhesive capsulitis, but it can occur in people of all ages and genders. Patients with endocrine problems (thyroid, diabetes) tend to have more severe symptoms.  

Common Symptoms

Since adhesive capsulitis is a disease of the joint capsule, motion tends to worsen symptoms. Patients often complain of pain at rest, particularly at night, which worsens with activity. The pain can be excruciating at times and prevents people from using their arm. The pain is often hard to localize and frequently radiates to the outer part of the shoulder.  Although the hallmark of a frozen shoulder is decreased range of motion, the disease often progresses in stages and can present simply as pain.  

Patients with more severe or persistent symptoms of shoulder stiffness and shoulder pain may benefit from our minimally invasive shoulder surgical procedure. Patients are often able to go home the same day they have the procedure.