How common is joint stiffness in frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder affects the tissues surrounding the shoulder joint. Stiffness may make it difficult to raise the arm, reach behind your back, put on clothing or comb your hair. Pain can be prominent early, while restricted movement may become more noticeable as the condition progresses. Both active movement and movement assisted by another person can be limited.

A stiff shoulder can also follow an injury, surgery, prolonged immobilisation or another shoulder problem. A clinical examination helps distinguish these possibilities and checks strength, sensation and the neck as well as the shoulder.

Arrange an assessment if stiffness is affecting dressing, sleep, work or daily tasks. A physiotherapist can guide comfortable range-of-motion work and show you how to avoid forceful stretching. Use heat or pain relief only if they are suitable for you and fit advice from your clinician. Keep the shoulder gently active within tolerable limits rather than repeatedly pushing into sharp pain.

Seek urgent help after a fall or other injury if the shoulder looks deformed, pain is severe, or you cannot use the arm. Get prompt assessment for a hot, red, swollen shoulder with fever, or for new weakness, numbness or colour change in the arm. Sudden chest pain or breathlessness requires emergency care rather than a shoulder appointment.

Ask whether your examination fits frozen shoulder, what movements are safe, and how often to practise them. Ask how pain should be managed, when improvement should be reviewed, and which changes would suggest another shoulder or neck problem.