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Frozen shoulder
- Rated ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ by 97% of orthopaedic patients
- No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care
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FROZEN SHOULDER AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
At HCA UK, we’re No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain and discomfort, we can help.
We offer fast access to the latest diagnostic and imaging technology to ensure you get a rapid and accurate diagnosis. Our experts include some of the UK’s leading orthopaedic consultants and shoulder specialists, who are experienced in treating frozen shoulder. They’ll provide you with the most effective treatment for your symptoms and if you require surgery, this will be carried out by our specialist teams at one of our leading private hospitals.
We offer fast access to the latest diagnostic and imaging technology to ensure you get a rapid and accurate diagnosis. Our experts include some of the UK’s leading orthopaedic consultants and shoulder specialists, who are experienced in treating frozen shoulder. They’ll provide you with the most effective treatment for your symptoms and if you require surgery, this will be carried out by our specialist teams at one of our leading private hospitals.
Also known as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder is a condition that limits the mobility of your shoulder and makes it painful to move. It often feels like your shoulder is stuck.
The shoulder joint consists of a ball (humeral head) and socket (glenoid), which are connected by soft tissue. It's usually one of the most mobile joints in the body.
When you have frozen shoulder, the tissue becomes inflamed, it thickens and tightens and the ligaments shorten. This leaves less room for the ball to move in the socket, restricting mobility and causing pain in the joint.
The main symptoms of frozen shoulder are stiffness and pain. These symptoms can occur over a period of two years or more. The symptoms tend to appear in three stages:
- Stage 1: The condition begins with the ‘freezing’ stage, in which you experience sharp pain when you try to move your shoulder. This is usually worse at night and lasts from six to nine months.
- Stage 2: Next is the ‘frozen’ stage, in which your shoulder becomes increasingly stiff but less painful. This stage typically lasts from four months to one year.
- Stage 3: Last of all is the ‘thawing’ stage, when your shoulder slowly returns to normal. This usually takes six months to two years, but can take longer in extreme cases.
Frozen shoulder is an inflammatory process that has no clear single cause and can appear unexpectedly. Some people can identify a trigger event such as a fall or wrenching injury, while, for others, frozen shoulder starts more slowly, without an obvious trigger.
It can also start if you’ve had a condition that prevents you from moving your shoulder as usual, as lack of use causes the shoulder capsule to become tight and the soft tissues to thicken.
However, certain factors put you at greater risk for developing frozen shoulder.
It can also start if you’ve had a condition that prevents you from moving your shoulder as usual, as lack of use causes the shoulder capsule to become tight and the soft tissues to thicken.
However, certain factors put you at greater risk for developing frozen shoulder.
You're more at risk of developing frozen shoulder if you’re:
- A woman
- Between the ages of 40 and 60
- Recovering from an injury that prevents you from moving your arm normally, such as an arm fracture or rotator cuff injury
- Suffering from underlying health conditions, including diabetes, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson's disease and heart disease
- Previously affected by a frozen shoulder on the other side within the last five years.
Your chosen consultant will ask you about your medical history and carry out a physical examination of your shoulder, gently testing its range of motion. This will help them gain a better understanding of your condition.
To confirm a diagnosis, your consultant will arrange for you to have an X-ray or scan so they can look at your shoulder in more detail. This also helps them to check that your shoulder pain isn’t being caused by another condition, such as a rotator cuff tear, shoulder arthritis or calcific tendonitis.
To make the process as convenient as possible for you, we try to ensure that your imaging tests are carried out on the same day as your consultation.
To confirm a diagnosis, your consultant will arrange for you to have an X-ray or scan so they can look at your shoulder in more detail. This also helps them to check that your shoulder pain isn’t being caused by another condition, such as a rotator cuff tear, shoulder arthritis or calcific tendonitis.
To make the process as convenient as possible for you, we try to ensure that your imaging tests are carried out on the same day as your consultation.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist shoulder and elbow consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
Worried about shoulder pain?
Get in touch and book a same- or next-day GP appointment.
Have a referral and need to book?
If you already have a referral letter, it couldn’t be simpler. You can book a test or treatment directly.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some answers?
We’re happy to help. Just book in and one of our consultants will talk you through everything you need to know.
ORTHOPAEDIC SCANS AT HCA UK
A diagnosis you can trust
Our diagnostic centres use state-of-the-art equipment to provide detailed images of your shoulder and the surrounding soft tissues. Your scan or X-ray will be reviewed by a specialist musculoskeletal radiologist and discussed with your consultant.
The scans we offer for a frozen shoulder, include:
The scans we offer for a frozen shoulder, include:
- X-ray
- MRI scan
- Ultrasound scan
TREATMENTS FOR FROZEN SHOULDER AT HCA UK
Expert care when you need it
At HCA UK, our treatments for frozen shoulder aim to reduce inflammation, relieve pain and improve your shoulder's range of motion. The treatment you’ll need will depend on the severity of your frozen shoulder, as well as your symptoms.
Treatment options include:
- Physiotherapy
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Steroid injections
- Hydrodilatation for frozen shoulder
- Shoulder manipulation
- Capsular release shoulder surgery
You can find out more about hydrodilatation and shoulder manipulation in the FAQs section below.
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
Find out more
Frozen shoulder FAQs
Hydrodilatation involves injecting a mixture of sterile saline, local anaesthetic and steroid into the shoulder joint capsule. This stretches the tight tissue, reduces inflammation and helps improve your shoulder mobility. At HCA UK, this procedure is performed by one of our highly skilled radiologists using X-ray or ultrasound guidance to ensure the injection is placed precisely.
Hydrodilatation is typically only recommended for people who have reached the second stage of frozen shoulder. You may experience pain for up to two weeks following the procedure, but your consultant will prescribe painkillers to help you manage it.
Hydrodilatation is typically only recommended for people who have reached the second stage of frozen shoulder. You may experience pain for up to two weeks following the procedure, but your consultant will prescribe painkillers to help you manage it.
Also called closed manipulation, this treatment involves your surgeon moving your shoulder joint through its full range of motion. This breaks up the tightened and scarred tissue, improving shoulder mobility.
Shoulder manipulation is a non-invasive procedure, which means it doesn't involve any incisions. You’ll be given a general or local anaesthetic, so you won't feel any pain during the procedure. Your shoulder will feel sore afterwards, but your consultant will prescribe painkillers to help you manage the pain. Most patients recover from the procedure within 4-6 weeks.
Shoulder manipulation is a non-invasive procedure, which means it doesn't involve any incisions. You’ll be given a general or local anaesthetic, so you won't feel any pain during the procedure. Your shoulder will feel sore afterwards, but your consultant will prescribe painkillers to help you manage the pain. Most patients recover from the procedure within 4-6 weeks.
You should always follow the advice of your consultant or physiotherapist if you’ve had a diagnosis of frozen shoulder. You can try these steps at home alongside their advice to help with symptoms:
- To help ease pain, take over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always follow packet instructions
- Apply heat or cold packs to your shoulder for 10-20 minutes at a time to help reduce stiffness and pain
- When sleeping, lie on the side of your unaffected shoulder. Tuck a pillow under the painful arm to keep it away from your body and hug the pillow with both arms. This will help support your affected shoulder and prevent you from rolling onto it while you’re asleep
- Try to keep using your arm as much as possible with gentle movements. Avoid any activities that make the pain worse
Not necessarily, but you are at greater risk of developing frozen shoulder. Although it’s unclear why this is the case. It’s important that you attend your regular diabetes check-ups so any problems with your shoulder can be caught early on.
Our patients’ stories
An Olympian effort: Chris’ fast-track to recovery
When Chris was told the surgery he needed on his shoulder would likely make him unable to compete professionally in 2023, Chris dug deep into those reserves and hoped he could excel once more.
Back on track: How surgery helped a visitor from America get free from pain
Brandon Zuck had just arrived in the UK from America. It was the beginning of a holiday he’d been looking forward to, a chance to catch up with friends, a little sightseeing. Needless to say, a complex surgical procedure was not on the must-do list.
Getting back to the fairway – Darryck’s hip replacement
After injuring himself doing DIY, Darryck knew that he’d need an expert to help with his hip. Little did he know that a golf course connection would be his solution after months of pain.
“When I called Professor Funk, I expected to have to wait months. But he invited me down the next day. It was the quickest I’d ever seen a consultant.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.