--- title: "Frozen shoulder: Symptoms & Treatment | HealthAnswers" description: "A plain-English guide to frozen shoulder — symptoms, stages, treatment and recovery timeline." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/frozen-shoulder/ robots: noindex --- # Frozen shoulder: Symptoms & Treatment | HealthAnswers Health A–Z A plain-English guide to frozen shoulder — symptoms, stages, treatment and recovery timeline. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What is frozen shoulder? Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint that develops gradually and can last 1 to 3 years. It often follows injury or immobility and is more common in people with diabetes. Treatment includes pain relief, physiotherapy and sometimes injections — most people recover fully but it takes time. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Frozen shoulder, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 8 sections ## Key facts about frozen shoulder - Frozen shoulder usually affects people aged 40 to 60, more often women. - Three stages — freezing (pain), frozen (stiffness), thawing (recovery). - The whole process can last 18 months to 3 years, sometimes longer. - Diabetes significantly increases risk — tell a GP if you have diabetes. - Physiotherapy and gentle movement help — forced stretching can worsen pain. ## What is frozen shoulder? Frozen shoulder — adhesive capsulitis — is a condition where the **shoulder joint capsule** (the connective tissue surrounding the joint) thickens and tightens, causing pain and progressive stiffness. It usually develops gradually, often without obvious injury, and typically resolves over **18 months to three years** — though the timeline varies. It most commonly affects people aged **40 to 60**, and is more frequent in **women** and people with **diabetes**. ## Symptoms Frozen shoulder develops in stages: **Stage 1 — Freezing (2 to 9 months):** - increasing pain, especially at night - pain with any shoulder movement - stiffness beginning to develop **Stage 2 — Frozen (4 to 12 months):** - pain may lessen but stiffness is severe - markedly reduced range of movement - difficulty with daily tasks — dressing, reaching overhead, brushing hair **Stage 3 — Thawing (6 months to 2 years):** - gradual return of movement - pain continues to improve The whole process can be frustratingly slow, but **most people recover fully**. ## Causes and risk factors Often no single cause is identified. Known associations include: - previous shoulder injury or surgery - prolonged immobilisation — arm in a sling - type 2 diabetes — significantly higher risk - thyroid disease - heart disease and Parkinson’s disease - age and sex — more common in women over 40 ## Diagnosis A GP or physiotherapist diagnoses frozen shoulder from symptoms and examination — checking range of movement actively and passively. Imaging (X-ray or ultrasound) may rule out arthritis or rotator cuff tears. ## Treatment Treatment focuses on pain relief and restoring movement: **Pain relief:** - paracetamol and ibuprofen - avoiding movements that cause sharp pain, but not stopping all movement **Physiotherapy:** - gentle stretching and range-of-movement exercises - a physiotherapist guides safe progression — forced aggressive stretching can worsen symptoms **Injections:** - corticosteroid injection into the joint for severe pain, especially in the freezing stage **Surgery:** - rarely needed — arthroscopic capsular release or manipulation under anaesthetic for persistent severe cases ## Living with frozen shoulder Frozen shoulder tests patience. Tips for daily life: - sleep with the affected arm supported on pillows - use the arm for light activities within comfortable limits - adapt tasks — a long-handled sponge, front-fastening clothes - stay active within pain limits — complete immobilisation worsens stiffness ## Frozen shoulder vs other shoulder problems **Rotator cuff injury** — pain with specific movements but less global stiffness. **Osteoarthritis** — older age, gradual wear-and-tear pain. **Neck problems** — can refer pain to the shoulder. Proper assessment ensures correct treatment. ## When to see a GP See a GP for progressive shoulder stiffness and pain affecting daily life. Early physiotherapy referral may shorten recovery. Seek urgent help for sudden severe pain after trauma, fever with a hot swollen joint, or neurological symptoms in the arm. ## ! When to see a GP about frozen shoulder See a GP if you have progressive shoulder pain and stiffness limiting daily activities — reaching overhead, dressing, or sleeping on the affected side. Early assessment rules out other causes such as rotator cuff injury or arthritis. Seek urgent advice for sudden severe pain after injury, fever with a hot swollen shoulder, or numbness and weakness in the arm. ## Common questions about frozen shoulder What are the symptoms of frozen shoulder? Gradually worsening shoulder pain, especially at night and when lying on the affected side, followed by increasing stiffness and reduced range of movement — difficulty reaching behind your back, overhead, or across your body. What causes frozen shoulder? The shoulder joint capsule thickens and tightens, restricting movement. Often no clear cause, but it follows shoulder injury, surgery, or prolonged immobility. Diabetes, thyroid disease and heart conditions increase risk. How long does frozen shoulder last? Typically 18 months to 3 years through three stages — painful freezing, stiff frozen, then gradual thawing. Most people recover fully, though some have mild ongoing stiffness. Patience and consistent physiotherapy help. How is frozen shoulder treated? Paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain, physiotherapy to maintain and restore movement, corticosteroid injections into the joint for severe pain, and rarely surgery or manipulation under anaesthetic. Treatment depends on the stage. Is frozen shoulder the same as arthritis? No. Osteoarthritis affects the joint surfaces; frozen shoulder affects the capsule surrounding the joint. Both cause stiffness but need different management — a GP or physiotherapist distinguishes them. ## Sources - [NHS — Frozen shoulder](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/frozen-shoulder/)