How do you get a frozen shoulder?

Unknown: We do not know the cause of a frozen shoulder. We know that it is a painful syndrome that limits shoulder motion. Most of the time it will resolve on it's own over five years. Injections and physical therapy will often help the problem resolve over 3-6 months.

Unknown : For the most part its unknown. Risk factors are diabetes, some endocrine disorders, and trauma. Frozen shoulder can be divided into 4 phases each lasting 3-4 months. Phase 1 - inflammatory phase - painful, but motion ok. Good time to get a cortisone shot & reduce chance of progression. Phase 2 - freezing phase - pain + loss of motion. Pt and nsaids help. Phase 3 - frozen phase - not much pain, but loss of motion. If no improvement by 6months - surgery is indicated for capsular release. Phase 4 - thawing phase - motion returns to normal.