18/05/2025
Shoulder pain is a common reason for a visit to the doctor. I see my fair share of these too, and I’ve observed that many have been labelled ‘frozen shoulder’ when they’re not. The term is so rampant that many with shoulder pain of any nature just refer to their problem as frozen shoulder at first consultation.
The good news is that most cases of shoulder pain are NOT frozen shoulder. Frozen shoulder is a very specific entity and can be diagnosed only after a thorough clinical examination. The better news is that the treatment of this condition had evolved beyond endless cycles of physio and exercise. Early diagnosis and intervention can cut short the course of this condition and greatly improve pain and quality of life, and also makes exercise much more effective.
Obviously the first step is to make the distinction between frozen shoulder and other more common causes of shoulder pain!