Mayo Clinic Care Network Content
Definitions

Adhesive capsulitis of shoulder


Overview

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is characterized by shoulder joint pain and stiffness.

Symptoms

Symptoms may start gradually and resolve within 1 or 2 years.

Treatments

Treatment involves stretching and, sometimes, injecting corticosteroids and numbing medications into the joint capsule. In some cases, surgery is used to loosen the joint capsule.