Frozen Shoulder—A Review of Current Concepts

Abstract

Objective: To provide an overview of the natural history, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of adhesive capsulitis, with emphasis on the most recent evidence regarding etiology and treatment.

Findings: Frozen shoulder is also known as adhesive capsulitis, a common condition in which the shoulder joint capsule and the connective tissues around the gleno humeral joint get inflamed and stiff, causing scapulohumeral pain and loss of motion. In addition to difficulty in performing daily activities, these patients usually experience problems in sleeping for an extended period of time due to pain that is worse at night. Frozen shoulder [FS] is a distinct clinical entity with characteristic clinical and arthrographic findings.

Conclusion: Due to a large number of treatment options and limited evidence for their effectiveness, more research is required to establish the effectiveness of each treatment strategy. However, this information should assist health-care practitioners who treat patients with this disorder.

• Adhesive capsulitis
• capsulitis
• fibrosis
• frozen shoulder
• range of motion
• review