Frozen Shoulder: symptoms, causes & treatment in Nigeria
Also known as stiff shoulder, adhesive capsulitis.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Always consult a licensed clinician about your own health.
Overview
Frozen shoulder is progressive pain and stiffness of the shoulder as its capsule tightens, until simple acts — fastening clothes, reaching a shelf — become difficult. It is more common in people with diabetes and after periods of shoulder immobility. It does resolve, but recovery takes months and is much faster with structured physiotherapy.
Symptoms
Shoulder pain, often worse at night
Progressive stiffness in all directions
Difficulty reaching overhead, behind the back or across the body
Pain on lying on the affected side
Stages: painful freezing, stiff frozen, then gradual thawing
Causes & risk factors
Inflammation and tightening of the shoulder capsule
Diabetes and thyroid disease increase risk
Immobility after injury, surgery or a stroke
Age 40-60; more common in women
Treatment & self-care
Physiotherapy is the backbone: graded stretching and mobilisation within tolerable pain, plus a home exercise routine done daily. Doctors can add anti-inflammatory treatment or a steroid injection to break the pain cycle, and resistant cases have procedural options. Keep the shoulder gently moving — complete rest worsens the stiffness.
See a doctor urgently if
Shoulder pain and stiffness persisting beyond a few weeks
Inability to raise the arm after a fall (rule out tear or fracture)
Shoulder pain with fever
You are diabetic with a stiffening shoulder
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of Frozen Shoulder?
Early signs often include shoulder pain, often worse at night, progressive stiffness in all directions, difficulty reaching overhead, behind the back or across the body. Symptoms vary from person to person, so a proper assessment by a doctor is the only way to be sure.
Can Frozen Shoulder be treated?
Physiotherapy is the backbone: graded stretching and mobilisation within tolerable pain, plus a home exercise routine done daily. Doctors can add anti-inflammatory treatment or a steroid injection to break the pain cycle, and resistant cases have procedural options. Keep the shoulder gently moving — complete rest worsens the stiffness.
When should I see a doctor about Frozen Shoulder?
See a doctor promptly if you notice: shoulder pain and stiffness persisting beyond a few weeks; inability to raise the arm after a fall (rule out tear or fracture); shoulder pain with fever; you are diabetic with a stiffening shoulder.