Adhesive capsulitis, better known by most people as “frozen shoulder,” is a common but often poorly understood condition. The characteristic presentation is that of a progressive loss of shoulder motion in all directions with progressive pain. It is idiopathic (no known cause) in most cases.
Frozen shoulder is seen many times after shoulder surgery and can on occasion occur after an injury. The cause of the progressive loss of motion is the gradual “shrinkage” of the shoulder joint capsule. Among the treatment options are cortisone injections and surgery/arthroplasty.
