What is the Natural History of Frozen Shoulder Syndrome?
Generally speaking, frozen shoulder syndrome is a self-limited process that resolves with time. The time it will take for the disease to run its course cannot be predicted in any one case. On average frozen shoulder syndrome lasts between 9 and 18 months. There are a few exceptions to this rule. Firstly, frozen shoulders in diabetics behave somewhat differently: they last longer, they are more resistant to treatment and they are more likely to recur. Secondly, post-operative or posttraumatic frozen shoulders may not resolve spontaneously. Because the stiffness in these cases results from actual scar tissue forming between tissue layers rather than an inflammatory contracture of the shoulder capsule, these types of frozen shoulder may require more aggressive treatment. What is the Chance of Recurrence? Idiopathic frozen shoulder has little chance of recurrence once fully resolved. The highest chance of recurrence is for patients with diabetes. There is a 50% chance that frozen shoulder
