Frozen Shoulder, medically known as Adhesive Capsulitis, is a painful and restrictive condition that causes the shoulder joint to gradually lose mobility. It occurs when the connective tissue (capsule) surrounding the shoulder joint thickens and tightens, forming adhesions that limit movement.
Frozen shoulder most often develops after an injury, surgery, or period of immobility, but can also appear without a clear cause. The condition typically progresses through three stages — freezing, frozen, and thawing — each with increasing stiffness and pain before gradual improvement begins.
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, we specialize in diagnosing and treating frozen shoulder with compassionate care, advanced therapies, and personalized rehabilitation programs. Patients from Pearland, Houston, Friendswood, and Southeast Texas trust Dr. Robert L. Burke to help them restore motion and relieve shoulder pain.
The shoulder joint is one of the most mobile in the body, allowing a wide range of movement in nearly every direction. This mobility depends on a flexible joint capsule that stretches as you move.
When inflammation or injury triggers the capsule to tighten or scar, it limits motion and causes significant discomfort. Over time, the joint can become “frozen,” making even simple actions like reaching, dressing, or sleeping on the affected side painful and difficult.
Frozen shoulder can occur spontaneously, but several factors increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Common causes include:
- Post-surgical stiffness: Immobilization after shoulder or breast surgery.
- Injury or trauma: Such as fractures or rotator cuff tears that restrict motion.
- Prolonged immobility: Keeping the shoulder inactive due to pain or illness.
- Inflammation of the joint capsule: Triggered by autoimmune or metabolic conditions.
Risk Factors:
- Age between 40–70 years
- Gender (more common in women)
- Diabetes or thyroid disorders
- Previous shoulder injury or surgery
- Prolonged immobilization after fracture
- Cardiovascular or systemic inflammatory conditions
Understanding these risk factors allows Dr. Burke to customize prevention and treatment strategies for each patient.
Frozen shoulder typically develops gradually and progresses through distinct stages that may last several months each.
Stage 1: Freezing (Painful Stage)
- Increasing shoulder pain, especially with movement
- Gradual loss of range of motion
- Pain worsens at night or with sudden movement
Stage 2: Frozen (Stiffness Stage)
- Pain may lessen, but stiffness remains severe
- Difficulty lifting, reaching, or rotating the arm
- Activities such as dressing or combing hair become difficult
Stage 3: Thawing (Recovery Stage)
- Slow, steady improvement in motion and strength
- Full recovery may take months to a year
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, Dr. Robert L. Burke, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, performs a comprehensive evaluation to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions such as rotator cuff tears or arthritis.
Diagnostic process includes:
- Medical history: Reviewing onset of pain, limited movement, and prior injury.
- Physical examination: Assessing active and passive range of motion.
- Imaging studies:
- X-rays: Exclude bone spurs or arthritis.
- MRI: Detects inflammation, thickening of the capsule, or coexisting rotator cuff injuries.
- Ultrasound: Evaluates the shoulder’s soft tissues in real time.
A precise diagnosis ensures that treatment targets the true source of stiffness.
The primary goal in treating frozen shoulder is to reduce pain, restore range of motion, and prevent recurrence.
Non-Surgical Treatments
- Anti-inflammatory medication: Helps reduce pain and inflammation.
- Cold and heat therapy: Alternating temperature treatments improve circulation and relieve stiffness.
- Corticosteroid injections: Decrease inflammation in the joint capsule and improve short-term mobility.
- Guided stretching and mobility exercises to restore flexibility.
- Strength training to stabilize the shoulder once movement improves.
- Posture correction and ergonomic retraining to prevent recurrence.
- Platelet-rich plasma injections may enhance healing by stimulating tissue regeneration and reducing inflammation.
Surgical Treatments
If conservative treatment does not restore mobility, surgical intervention may be necessary.
Dr. Burke offers minimally invasive techniques for resistant cases:
- A small camera and instruments are inserted through tiny incisions to gently release the tightened capsule.
- Allows for immediate improvement in range of motion.
Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA):
- While the patient is asleep, controlled stretching moves the shoulder through full range to break adhesions.
Reconstructive Surgery
May be considered if frozen shoulder coexists with other structural problems like labral tears or rotator cuff injury.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Recovery from frozen shoulder depends on the stage at diagnosis and the chosen treatment method.
Typical recovery timelines:
- Non-surgical treatment: 6–12 weeks for pain relief and improved motion.
- Arthroscopic capsular release: 3–6 months for complete recovery with physical therapy.
Rehabilitation goals:
- Restore flexibility and motion
- Strengthen rotator cuff and supporting muscles
- Prevent stiffness recurrence through guided home exercises
- Improve posture and shoulder mechanics
Consistent physical therapy and gradual progression are key to a full recovery.
With early diagnosis and comprehensive care, most patients regain full shoulder function and live pain-free.
Prevention and maintenance tips:
- Maintain shoulder mobility with regular stretching
- Avoid long periods of immobility after injury or surgery
- Strengthen upper-body muscles to support joint stability
- Manage diabetes or thyroid conditions to reduce risk
- Seek prompt care if shoulder stiffness begins
Proper management of underlying conditions greatly reduces recurrence risk.
You should seek orthopedic evaluation if:
- Shoulder pain or stiffness lasts more than two weeks
- Pain worsens at night or limits daily activity
- You cannot raise or rotate your arm fully
- Conservative treatments have not improved motion
Prompt care can prevent worsening stiffness and long-term functional loss.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
If shoulder stiffness or pain is restricting your daily life, expert care can help restore your mobility.
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, we specialize in diagnosing and treating frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) using advanced therapies and personalized rehabilitation.
We proudly serve Pearland, Houston, Friendswood, and Southeast Texas, providing compassionate, evidence-based orthopedic care for every stage of recovery.
Call (713) 436-3488 or Request an Appointment Online to schedule your consultation with Dr. Robert L. Burke, board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder mobility and reconstruction.
