Frozen Shoulder: A Brief Review

Abstract

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder joint, is a very common and well-known entity in the field of pain medicine. The shoulder joint, being one of the most important and complex joint in the human body, gives much flexibility while compromising stability. But when flexibility is reduced, it causes much trouble and discomfort. Frozen shoulder is known for years but its definition, pathology, and treatment are yet to be standardized. In this article, there will be recapitulation of the anatomy, pathogenesis of frozen shoulder, and its correlation with clinical features in different stages, plus diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis on clinical examination as well as using advanced imaging techniques, will be discussed. The current available treatment modalities for frozen shoulder are also enumerated. Although newer imaging studies like arthrography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA), and ultrasound aid the diagnosis of frozen shoulder, clinical examination with exclusion of other pathology remains the mainstay and the most cost-effective way of diagnosis. The commonest treatment modality still being physiotherapy with some interventions; operative management is done only in very selected cases as the last option. Interventions like hydrodilatation of joint capsule and intraarticular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have a very good role in management along with physiotherapy. It is recommended that ultrasound should be used routinely for the interventions in frozen shoulder.