Frozen Shoulder Treatment Without Surgery London
It crept up slowly. First, mild discomfort. Then increasing stiffness. Now your shoulder barely moves. Getting dressed is a challenge. Reaching behind your back is impossible. Sleep is disturbed every time you roll onto that side.
Frozen shoulder takes over your life gradually then completely.
The traditional advice is patience. It will resolve eventually. Maybe in two years. Maybe three. Meanwhile, you cannot function.
You do not have to simply wait.
Understanding Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, occurs when the capsule surrounding your shoulder joint becomes inflamed and then progressively thickens and tightens.
The condition typically progresses through three phases.
Freezing phase: Pain develops, often severe, and movement gradually decreases. This phase lasts two to nine months.
Frozen phase: Pain may ease but stiffness is profound. The shoulder barely moves. This phase lasts four to twelve months.
Thawing phase: Movement gradually returns. This phase can take one to three years.
Total duration is typically 18 months to three years. Some cases last longer. Some never fully resolve.
The cause is often unclear. Risk factors include diabetes, thyroid disorders, previous shoulder injury or surgery, and prolonged immobility.
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Why Waiting Is Not Always the Answer
Yes, frozen shoulder usually resolves eventually. But eventually can mean years of significant disability.
During those years, you cannot dress easily, reach shelves, drive comfortably, sleep properly, or exercise normally. Your quality of life is substantially reduced.
Some patients develop permanent restriction even after the condition "resolves." Up to 40% have some lasting limitation.
Active treatment can shorten duration, reduce disability, and improve final outcome. The goal is not just resolution but faster resolution with better recovery.
Treatment Options for Frozen Shoulder
Physiotherapy is foundational. Specific exercises maintain as much movement as possible and help restore mobility during recovery. Daily home exercises are essential.
Steroid injections into the shoulder joint reduce inflammation and can significantly improve pain and movement, particularly in the early inflammatory phase.
Hydrodilatation involves injecting fluid into the joint capsule to stretch it. This can produce rapid improvement in movement.
PRP injections deliver growth factors that may modulate inflammation and promote healing of the capsular tissue. PRP is increasingly used for frozen shoulder, particularly in combination with other treatments.
Manipulation under anaesthesia physically breaks adhesions while you are asleep. It produces immediate mobility but requires anaesthesia and careful rehabilitation.
Surgical release arthroscopically cuts tight capsule tissue. Reserved for cases not responding to other treatments.
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How PRP Helps Frozen Shoulder
PRP addresses frozen shoulder through anti-inflammatory effects reducing capsular inflammation, tissue healing properties helping resolve the adhesive process, and growth factors supporting recovery of normal tissue.
Research on PRP for frozen shoulder shows promising results, particularly when combined with physiotherapy and other treatments.
PRP may be especially valuable for patients who cannot use steroids (diabetics, for example, where steroids worsen blood sugar control) or where steroids have provided only temporary benefit.
Our Approach
We assess your shoulder thoroughly, including examination, review of imaging, and understanding your stage of frozen shoulder.
Treatment recommendations are individualised. Some patients benefit from steroid injection first. Others are better candidates for PRP. Many benefit from combination approaches.
All treatment is supported by appropriate physiotherapy guidance. Injection without rehabilitation produces inferior results.
We monitor your progress and adjust treatment as needed. Frozen shoulder requires persistent, adaptable management.
What to Expect
Injection treatment, whether steroid or PRP, is performed under ultrasound guidance for accuracy. You can use your arm immediately, though we recommend gentle activity for a few days.
Improvement in pain often occurs within days to weeks. Improvement in movement is more gradual as the capsule softens and stretches.
Multiple treatments may be needed. Frozen shoulder is stubborn. A single injection rarely resolves it completely.
The goal is significantly shortened duration and improved final mobility compared to waiting it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have frozen shoulder? Classic signs are progressive restriction of movement in all directions, particularly rotation, with or without significant pain. Imaging may rule out other causes.
Can frozen shoulder be cured quickly? No treatment produces overnight cure. Active management shortens duration but recovery still takes months.
Is PRP better than steroid injection? They work differently and may be used at different stages. Steroids reduce inflammation quickly. PRP may support longer-term healing. Sometimes both are used.
Will I need surgery? Most frozen shoulders resolve without surgery. Surgery is reserved for cases not responding to conservative treatment after adequate trial.
I have diabetes. Does that affect treatment? Diabetes increases frozen shoulder risk and may slow recovery. Steroid injections can worsen blood sugar. PRP may be preferable for diabetic patients.
How many treatments will I need? Variable. Some patients improve significantly with one or two injections plus physiotherapy. Others need ongoing treatment over months.
Do not lose years of your life to frozen shoulder.
