Frozen Shoulder Treatment

Frozen shoulder or Adhesive Capsulitis is a condition seen in middle aged men and women predominantly. It is more common in diabetics. A trivial shoulder injury can initialize the process which is fibrosis and scar formation in the shoulder making it is stiffer and stiffer. The natural history is increasing stiffness for 1-2 years followed by a natural return to normal range of motion that may take another year. Obviously, patients do not want to wait this long.  The past several years I have been using a cortisone injection into the joint which seems to stop the process and reversed the stiffness when done in conjunction with physical therapy.  Since adopting this approach I have not had to operate on someone with frozen shoulder for several years.  A recent study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine highlighted a randomized trial that corroborated my impression. You can find details  HERE