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Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)

Capsulitis adhaesiva humeri · Zmrzlé rameno (adhezivní kapsulitida)

What it is

The joint capsule inflames then contracts; typically 1–3 years, worse in diabetes.

Symptoms & signs

  • Progressive stiffness in all directions
  • night pain
  • can't reach behind the back
  • freezing then frozen then thawing phases

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Shoulder pain with chest tightness, sweating or breathlessness
  • see a doctor soon Hot, red, swollen shoulder with fever
  • see a doctor soon Arm swelling, numbness or weakness
  • see a doctor soon Weight loss or night sweats with the shoulder pain

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Steroid injection early — the best evidence of the lot, and it fades mixed evidence
  • Physiotherapy — helps range, does not shorten the illness mixed evidence
  • Hydrodilatation mixed evidence
  • Manipulation under anaesthesia mixed evidence
  • Arthroscopic capsular release — for the few still stuck after a year; most resolve by themselves in one to three years mixed evidence

Natural & lifestyle

  • Gentle daily range-of-motion
  • heat before stretching
  • blood sugar control
  • patience — it does resolve

Emerging & experimental

  • Ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation protocols
  • suprascapular nerve block

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Acupuncture — trials disagree mixed evidence
  • Forced stretching through severe pain — can flare it; gentle range is better anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes