What is frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, medically called adhesive capsulitis, happens when the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint becomes inflamed and fibrotic, turning thick and tight. The result is pain plus a loss of motion. In Korea and Japan it's nicknamed the "fifties shoulder" because it's most common between 40 and 60. Women and people with diabetes or thyroid disease are at higher risk (Neviaser & Neviaser, 2011).
This article is general health information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.
What are the stages?
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Freezing | Pain, often worse at night; motion steadily shrinks |
| Frozen | Pain eases, but stiffness makes dressing or washing your hair hard |
| Thawing | Motion gradually returns |
The whole course usually takes one to three years, and some people keep a bit of stiffness.
How is it different from a rotator cuff tear?
Both hurt, but with frozen shoulder the joint is stiff in every direction, even when someone else moves your arm for you. With a rotator cuff tear, lifting the arm yourself is hard, but it often moves fairly well when someone lifts it for you. An exam and imaging settle the question. For posture-related neck and shoulder pain, see forward head posture.
Treatment and care
U.S. physical therapy guidelines (Kelley et al., 2013) support corticosteroid injections into the joint for pain, along with stretching and mobility exercises matched to how irritable the shoulder is, plus patient education. Aggressive stretching during the painful phase can backfire. If it doesn't improve, manipulation under anesthesia or arthroscopic release may be options.
FAQ
- Will frozen shoulder go away on its own?
- Many cases improve with time, but it can take one to three years and motion may not fully return. Stage-appropriate treatment after a diagnosis helps.
- Can people in their 20s or 30s get it?
- It's uncommon but possible. Shoulder pain at a younger age is more often a rotator cuff or impingement problem, so get it checked.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-25
References
- Neviaser, A. S., & Neviaser, R. J. (2011). Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 19(9), 536–542.
- Kelley, M. J., Shaffer, M. A., Kuhn, J. E., et al. (2013). Shoulder pain and mobility deficits: Adhesive capsulitis. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 43(5), A1–A31.