Frozen Shoulder Clinic
Around 5% of the population, and around a third of diabetics, will experience frozen shoulder at some point in their life. You're more likely to be impacted if you're aged between 40 and 60, and it's more common among women. At the OrthTeam Centre, we’ve also seen a large increase in patients during the pandemic suffering from the condition.
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is when tissue and ligaments around your shoulder joint become inflamed, painful and stiff. The condition usually affects one shoulder, however in about 20% of people it’s both.
Frozen shoulder typically develops in three stages:
- Stage one - your shoulder becomes inflamed and very painful – these are the first signs of frozen shoulder and some movement may be lost (freezing)
- Stage two - the shoulder pain may ease, but movement becomes increasingly difficult (frozen)
- Stage three - the shoulder pain continues to ease and mobility returns (thaws) – this may take a number of months and, in some cases, several years
How is it diagnosed and treated?
At our fast access Frozen Shoulder Clinic you benefit from the following:
Diagnosis
Consultation - one of our experienced shoulder surgeons will discuss your symptoms with you and perform a medical examination.
Imaging and treatment (can be delivered in one convenient visit)
- MRI scan - to confirm the diagnosis and rule out arthritis or a tendon injury
- Hydrodilatation - this involves an injection into the joint under X-ray control which takes about 15 minutes to complete and you can go home immediately afterwards (although you will need someone to drive you home). A large volume of fluid is injected, the aim being to stretch the lining of the joint and improve range of movement. This treatment is highly successful in over 90% of patients
To book a consultation at the Frozen Shoulder Clinic or for more information call 0161 447 6888.
Shoulder consultant profiles:
