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Woman receiving massage treatment for frozen shoulder

What is frozen shoulder?

Apr 26, 2023 - McMaster University - 2 minutes

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful condition that can be triggered by an injury or surgery and can be associated with certain conditions such as diabetes, thyroid problems, and Parkinson disease. In this 2-minute video, Dr. Raj Carmona discusses what frozen shoulder is and what its three distinct phases are.

Interested in learning more about frozen shoulder and if steroid injections can help? Watch the full-length video.

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Video Post: Frozen shoulder: Do steroid injections help?
Evidence Summary: In people with frozen shoulder, steroid injections reduce pain and improve shoulder mobility for up to 6 months

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Frozen shoulder: Do steroid injections help?

Author Details

Anthony Levinson

Dr. Anthony J. Levinson is a Professor at McMaster University and holds the John R. Evans Chair in Health Sciences Educational Research and Instructional Development. One of the co-leaders of the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal, Dr. Levinson is also a psychiatrist with a special interest in medical psychiatry and neuropsychiatry. His area of research interest includes online learning to improve healthcare provider and patient education.

Author Details

Raj Carmona

Dr. Raj Carmona is a rheumatologist and Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at McMaster University.

References

McMaster Optimal Aging Portal. In people with frozen shoulder, steroid injections reduce pain and improve shoulder mobility for up to 6 months. (2017 Oct 7). Accessed January 28, 2022. Available from: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/full-article/es/people-frozen-shoulder-steroid-injections-reduce-pain-improve-shoulder-mobility-1686
Sun Y, Zhang P, Liu S, Li H, Jiang J, Chen S, Chen J. Intra-articular Steroid Injection for Frozen Shoulder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials With Trial Sequential Analysis. Am J Sports Med. 2017 Jul;45(9):2171-2179.
Skinner HB. Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Orthopedics. 5th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2014.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Frozen Shoulder. (2018 Mar). Accessed January 28, 2022. Available from: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/frozen-shoulder
Dias R, Cutts S, Massoud S. Frozen shoulder. BMJ. 2005;331(7530):1453-1456.
Abdelshafi ME, Yosry M, Elmulla AF, et al. Relief of chronic shoulder pain: a comparative study of three approaches. Middle East Journal of Anaesthesiology. 2011 Feb;21(1):83-92.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported through the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging and funds provided by the Dean and Vice-President, Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University.

DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).

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