Women 40 And Older Are More Likely To Develop The Condition

Interest in frozen shoulder is increasing thanks in part to high-profile media personalities and social media creators sharing their experiences, driving awareness and conversations around the health condition.

Frozen shoulder is a condition that causes pain and a gradual loss of movement or stiffness in the shoulder joint. It can be disruptive and debilitating and is more common among women going through perimenopause and menopause, said Nickolas Linkous, MD, a sports medicine and orthopedic surgeon with ThedaCare Orthopedic Care.

Dr. Linkous

“We’ve long known that women over the age of 40 are more likely to develop frozen shoulder,” Dr. Linkous said. “As more people share their experiences, it offers an opportunity to learn about symptoms, prevention and risk factors associated with this condition.”

Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, typically starts gradually and can worsen over time. It can take one to three years for the condition to resolve.

Frozen Shoulder Stages

The condition generally presents in three stages:

• Freezing: People develop worsening pain and loss of range of motion. This stage typically lasts between six weeks and nine months.
• Frozen: A person may experience less pain but stiffness persists. Daily activities may become difficult over the four to six months this stage can last.
• Thawing: Shoulder motion improves gradually. Return to normal strength and motion often takes between six months and two years.

People with frozen shoulder often experience dull, achy pain located over the outer shoulder or upper arm. The condition is more common in the non-dominant arm. They also may experience discomfort triggered by arm movement. Some people report a worsening of symptoms at night, leading to poor sleep.

Who’s More Susceptible?

Women between the ages of 40 and 60 are more likely to develop frozen shoulder. Experts say a decline in estrogen levels may lead to an increased risk of women developing the condition. Estrogen is known to protect cartilage, stimulate bone growth and help regulate inflammation. As levels drop, women can become more vulnerable to developing inflammation that can lead to frozen shoulder.

Other groups at risk for developing frozen shoulder include:

• Those ages 40 and older, with women at greater risk than men.
• People who must keep their shoulder immobilized for reasons such as rotator cuff injury, broken arm, stroke or recovery from shoulder surgery.
• Individuals with certain systemic diseases, including diabetes, overactive or underactive thyroid, cardiovascular disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Because the exact cause of some cases of frozen shoulder remains unclear, prevention can be challenging. A healthcare expert may recommend exercises to help prevent frozen shoulder among individuals recovering from shoulder injury, a broken arm or a stroke.

A physician can perform an exam that includes asking a person to move their arm in certain ways. They’ll also take a detailed history. This alone may be enough to diagnose frozen shoulder. They may also order imaging such as X-ray, ultrasound or MRI to rule out other conditions.

Treatment Options

Frozen shoulder typically resolves without surgery. Treatment often is focused on pain management and restoration of motion and strength through physical therapy.

Non-surgical treatment options include:

• Prescription or over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can help reduce pain and swelling.
• Steroid injections directly into the shoulder joint.
• Hydrodilatation, a procedure that involves gently injecting a large volume of sterile fluid into the shoulder joint to expand and stretch the shoulder joint capsule.
• Physical therapy to restore motion and strength.

People with frozen shoulder rarely require surgery to address the condition. If it is necessary, a doctor may recommend a shoulder arthroscopy, a procedure that releases the problematic tight tissue and re-expands the joint, Dr. Linkous said. After surgery, physical therapists can help a person maintain their restored motion.

ThedaCare Orthopedic Care offers a range of treatments for frozen shoulder.

“Frozen shoulder is often a painful and frustrating diagnosis,” Dr. Linkous said. “We’re here to help guide you toward relief.”

About ThedaCare

For more than 115 years, ThedaCare® has been improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in northeast and central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 650,000 residents in 17 counties, and employs approximately 7,000 providers and team members at 180 points of care, including 10 hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, find solutions together, and encourage health awareness and action. ThedaCare is part of Froedtert ThedaCare, Wisconsin’s most comprehensive healthcare system.

For more information, visit thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on social media.

Date posted: September 8, 2026