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"Frozen shoulder"

Clinical Practice Guideline

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diagnosis and Non-Surgical Treatment of Primary Frozen Shoulder
Byung Chan Lee, Beom Suk Kim, Byeong-Ju Lee, Chang-Won Moon, Chul-Hyun Park, Dong Hwan Kim, Dong Hwan Yun, Donghwi Park, Doo Young Kim, Du Hwan Kim, Gi-Wook Kim, Hyun Jung Kim, Il-Young Jung, In Jong Kim, Jae Hyeon Park, Jae-Hyun Lee, Jaeki Ahn, Jae-Young Lim, Jin A Yoon, Jong Hwa Lee, Jong-Moon Hwang, Keewon Kim, Kyeong Eun Uhm, Kyoung Hyo Choi, Kyung Eun Nam, Kyunghoon Min, Min Cheol Chang, Myung Woo Park, Nackhwan Kim, Hyeng-Kyu Park, Seong Hun Kim, Seoyon Yang, Sun Jae Won, Sung Gyu Moon, Sung Joon Chung, Sungju Jee, Woo Hyung Lee, Yong Bok Park, Yoonju Na, Yu Hui Won, Yu Jin Im, Yu Sung Yoon, Yun Jung Lee, Yunsoo Soh, Jae-Young Han
Ann Rehabil Med 2025;49(3):113-138.   Published online June 30, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.250057
Objective
Primary frozen shoulder causes significant pain and progressively restricts shoulder movements. Diagnosis is primarily clinically based on patient history and physical examination. Management is mainly non-invasive owing to its self-limiting clinical course. However, clinical practice guidelines for frozen shoulder have not yet been developed in Korea. The developed guidelines aim to provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of frozen shoulder.
Methods
A guideline development committee reviewed the literature from four databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and KMbase). Using the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcome) framework, the committee formulated two backgrounds and 16 key questions to address common clinical concerns. Recommendations were made using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework.
Results
Diabetes, thyroid disease, and dyslipidemia significantly increase the risk of developing a frozen shoulder. Although frozen shoulder is often self-limiting, some patients may experience long-term disabilities. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging should be used as adjunctive tools alongside clinical diagnosis, and not as independent diagnostic methods. Noninvasive approaches, such as medications, physical modalities, exercises, electrical stimulation, and manual therapy, may reduce pain and improve shoulder function. Other noninvasive interventions have limited evidence, and their application should be based on clinical judgment. Intra-articular steroid injections are recommended for treatment, and physiotherapy or hydrodilatation with steroid injections can also be beneficial.
Conclusion
These guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for diagnosing and treating primary frozen shoulder.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • Comparison of efficacy of intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma with bupivacaine and steroid combination in chronic shoulder pain
    Naveen Malhotra, Neha Sinha, Amit Kumar, Ritu, Disha Gupta, Naman Malhotra
    Journal of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology.2026; 42(1): 120.     CrossRef
  • Hyperlipidemia exacerbates frozen shoulder fibrosis by activating the TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling pathway via the TBX5-TNC-Itgα2 axis
    Fan Jiang, Yi Zhang, Jinlong Ma, Tengbo Yu, Youliang Shen
    iScience.2026; 29(2): 114660.     CrossRef
  • Axillary recess capsular edema is associated with heterogeneity in rehabilitation response: Implications for a magnetic resonance imaging-based stratified treatment strategy for adhesive capsulitis
    De-Ting Zhu, Yan-Qi Shan, Yan Wang, ChenChen, Da-Dong Zhang, Xiu-Li Kan, Quan-Bing Zhang, Xue-Ming Li, Yun Zhou
    Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Clinical efficacy of Mulligan mobilization with movement versus proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on pain reduction and shoulder mobility in patients with frozen shoulder
    Sylejman Miftari, Mejdi Aliu
    Health, sport, rehabilitation.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
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  • 912 Download
  • 2 Web of Science
  • 4 Crossref
Original Articles
Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of distention arthrography (DA) alone and in combination with translational mobilization (TM) for treatment of patients with frozen shoulder (FS).

Methods

Eighty-five patients diagnosed with unilateral FS (freezing or frozen stage) were included. Forty-one patients were treated with DA and TM (group 1) and 44 patients with DA alone (group 2). Clinical assessments including visual analogue scale (VAS), Cyriax stage, and shoulder passive range of motion (PROM) including forward flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation were measured at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months following treatment.

Results

There were no significant differences in gender, side affected, symptom duration, presence of diabetes mellitus, VAS score, Cyriax stage, or shoulder PROM between the two patient groups at baseline. Compared with baseline metrics, patients in both groups demonstrated significantly improved outcome parameters at two post-treatment time points. However, mean all shoulder PROMs were significantly greater, and mean VAS score and Cyriax stage were lower in patients treated with DA and TM than in those treated with DA alone group at two post-treatment time points. At these times, mean interval change of all outcome parameters was significantly greater with DA and TM than DA alone. No serious complications were observed following treatment in either patient group.

Conclusion

Compared with DA alone, DA combined with TM more effectively alleviates shoulder pain and increases PROM in patients with freezing or frozen stage FS.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • Effects of Nonthrust Joint Mobilization on Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder: A Meta-Analysis
    Farzin Halabchi, Behnaz Mahdaviani, Nima Bagheri, Shaghayegh Rahimi, Sakineh Shab-Bidar, Maryam Selk-Ghaffari
    Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.2025; 48(6-9): 800.     CrossRef
  • Clinical Role of Ultrasound in Frozen Shoulder
    Gi-Young Park
    Clinical Pain.2025; 24(2): 133.     CrossRef
  • The Efficacy of Manipulation with Distension Arthrography to Treat Adhesive Capsulitis: A Multicenter, Randomized, Single‐Blind, Controlled Trial
    Yayun Zhang, Ruirui Xue, Zhengyi Tong, Mengchen Yin, Yiqun Yu, Jie Ye, Jinhai Xu, Wen Mo, Fabiano Bini
    BioMed Research International.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Combined arthroscopic release with corticosteroid hydrodilatation versus corticosteroid hydrodilatation only in treating freezing-phase primary frozen shoulder: a randomized clinical trial
    Zhu Dai, Quanhui Liu, Bo Liu, Ke Long, Ying Liao, Biao Wu, Wen Huang, Chao Liu
    BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Role of Ultrasonography in Diagnosis and Treatment of Frozen Shoulder
    Gi-Young Park
    Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.2019; 26(3): 149.     CrossRef
  • 7,322 View
  • 119 Download
  • 4 Web of Science
  • 5 Crossref
The Success Rate of Superior Approach Glenohumeral Injection in Patients with Frozen Shoulder.
Kim, Joon Sung , Kwon, Jeong Yi , Jeung, In Suek , Rhee, Won Ihl , Im, Sun , Kim, Hyun Jin , Yoon, Sun Mi
J Korean Acad Rehabil Med 2007;31(1):37-40.
Objective
In treating patients with frozen shoulder, posterior and anterior approach glenohumeral injections are well known methods. But the accuracy of the above injection methods is low. In this study, we introduce the superior approach glenohumeral injection method and evaluate its success rate. Method: Twenty six patients who were clinically diagnosed with frozen shoulder were enrolled. Patients received a superior approach glenohumeral injection of 1 cc radiographic contrast (UrografinⰒ, Schering, Germany). The success of superior approach was determined by radiography study of the shoulder joint taken after the injection. Results: 24 of the 26 procedures (92.3%) were judged to be accurately placed by the radiography study and there was no significant complication after the superior approach intrarticular injection. Conclusion: Superior approach glenohumeral injection in frozen shoulder showed the high success rate. We consider this superior approach as a very effective method. If the study for the interrater reliability is added, the superior approach will be considered to be a useful approach. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2007; 31: 37-40)
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  • 21 Download
MRI Findings of Adhesive Capsulitis of Shoulder.
Choi, Eun Seok , Lee, Yeon Soo , Yang, Ji Ho , Ko, Young Jin , Kang, Sae Yoon , Shin, Jae Eun , Whang, In Sik , Yang, Yoo Jin
J Korean Acad Rehabil Med 2002;26(2):177-181.

Objective: MRI findings of adhesive capsulitis (AC) have been rarely documented even though the disease is a rather common disorder. To find reliable MRI parameters, we studied MRI findings of the patients with arthrographically-proven AC.

Method: Eighteen patients with AC (patient group) and eight subjects without AC (control group) were enrolled. Mean age of the former was 55.1 years and that of the latter was 41.4 years. Mean duration of the diseases in patient group was 5.9 months. Oblique coronal and axial MRI images of the shoulder were measured for the thickness of capsule and synovium around the axillary fold (TAF), volume of axillary recess (VAR), and volume of biceps tendon sheath (VBTS), which were com-

pared in both groups using unpaired t-test.

Results: TAF was significantly increased in patient group (p<0.0001), and the thickened axillary fold greater than 5.1 mm was a useful MRI criterion for the diagnosis of AC with sensitivity of 93% and with specificity of 100%. VBTS was also significantly diminished in patient group (p<0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in VAR between two groups.

Conclusion: TAF, especially greater than 5.1 mm, and decreased VBTS are useful MRI parameters for the diagnosis of AC of shoulder. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2002; 26: 177-181)

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Arthrographic Findings of Frozen Shoulder and Therapeutic Effect of Distension Arthrography.
Choi, Eun Seok , Kim, Joon Sung , Lee, Yeon Soo , Shin, Byoung Soon , Ko, Young Jin , Park, Se Hun
J Korean Acad Rehabil Med 2001;25(2):278-283.

Objective: To define arthrographic findings in patients with frozen shoulder and to evaluate the therapeutic effect of arthrographic capsular distension and rupture.

Method: Thirty patients who were clinically diagnosed as frozen shoulder were enrolled. During a trial of intra-articular injection of 35 mL of fluid which contained 8 mL of 1% lidocaine, 2 mL of prednisolone (80 mg) and 25 mL of radiocontrast material, arthrographic findings and the occurrence of iatrogenic capsular tear were observed. Passive range of shoulder motion (percent of normal, %) at flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation was measured at pre- and 1 week post-injection. The therapeutic effect of the procedure was statistically analyzed by paired Student's t-test.

Results: Mean age of the subjects was 57-years-old (range: 40∼76 years) and mean duration of the symptom was 6 months (2∼42 months). A decreased joint volume of less than 10 mL (100%), poor or absent filling of the axillary recess or subscapular bursa (75.9%), nonfill of the biceps tendon sheath (37.9%), and irregularity of capsular insertion (31.0%) were typical abnormal arthrographic findings. In one week after arthrographic distension and rupture, the passive range of shoulder motion was significantly (p<0.05) increased at flexion, abduction and external rotation, of which the range of external rotation was the most remarkably increased (mean, 23.9%).

Conclusion: Distension arthrography was useful for increasing shoulder motion in frozen shoulder, especially at flexion, abduction and external rotation.

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