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Frozen shoulder resource page

Useful resources for both healthcare professionals and patients.

About frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful and stiff shoulder condition that can impair the ability to carry out routine daily activities and cause sleep disruption.

It mostly affects adults of a working age between 40 and 70 years old, with females more likely to be affected than males.

Find out more about frozen shoulder on the NHS website

The UK FROST trial

In 2020, we completed UK FROST, the largest randomised controlled trial comparing three commonly offered NHS treatments for frozen shoulder.

These were:

  1. Early structured physiotherapy and a steroid injection
  2. Manipulation under anaesthetic (MUA) and a steroid injection
  3. Arthroscopic capsular release (ACR) with MUA.

We found that patients reported improved shoulder pain and function from all three treatment options but none were clearly superior.

Frozen shoulder treatment options

The following video explains the three treatment options as well as the study findings in more detail.

Frozen shoulder pathway and resources

After completing the study, we worked collaboratively with over 60 key stakeholders, including healthcare professionals and patients, to share the study findings and develop resources to convey treatment options and optimise shared decision-making..

Disclaimer

Please note, the patient booklet and exercises should only be used as advised by a healthcare professional.

It should not be relied upon for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. If you have any specific questions or concerns about your health, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional.