What causes frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder can develop when you stop using the joint normally because of pain, injury, or a chronic health condition, such as diabetes or arthritis. Any shoulder problem can lead to frozen shoulder if you do not work to maintain full range of motion. Frozen shoulder occurs: • After surgery or injury. • Most often in people 40 to 70 years old. • More often in women (especially in postmenopausal women) than men. • Most often in people with chronic diseases. How is frozen shoulder diagnosed? Your health professional may suspect frozen shoulder if a physical examination reveals limited shoulder movement. An arthrogram—an X-ray image of your joint taken after a contrast material (such as a dye or air) is injected into it—can help confirm the diagnosis. How is it treated? Treatment for frozen shoulder usually starts with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and application of heat to the affected area, followed by gentle stretching. Ice and medications (including corticosteroid
