Relief from Frozen Shoulder Pain
Adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder, is a condition that causes shoulder joint pain and stiffness. It happens when the connective tissue around the shoulder joint swells and stiffens, creating tight bands called adhesions. Because it causes pain during shoulder movement, you move your shoulder less, making the joint even tighter — “freezing” the shoulder in place.
Our orthopedic and sports medicine specialists offer advanced adhesive capsulitis treatment to relieve shoulder pain and stiffness. We offer a full range of therapies, from nonsurgical pain management approaches to minimally invasive frozen shoulder surgery.
Four Stages of Frozen Shoulder Anything that stops you from moving your shoulder — such as pain, surgery or wearing a sling or cast, when you break your arm — can increase your risk of adhesive capsulitis. Certain health conditions, like diabetes, stroke, heart disease, thyroid disease and Parkinson’s disease, can also raise your risk. Frozen shoulder is most common in adults over 40, and it’s more common in women than men.
Adhesive capsulitis symptoms develop slowly and get worse. The condition develops in stages, over several months:
Prefreezing – Shoulder movement causes sharp pain, and your shoulder aches even when you’re not using it. This stage can last one to three months. Freezing – It’s even more difficult to move your shoulder, and you experience more pain, particularly at night. This stage can last up to nine months. Frozen – Shoulder stiffness increases, but the pain doesn’t get worse — it may even improve. This stage can last up to 14 months. Thawing – After you’ve had symptoms for a year, you start experiencing less pain — especially at night — and you gradually regain shoulder range of motion. This stage can last more than a year. Adhesive capsulitis is sometimes confused with calcific tendonitis of the shoulder , but they’re different. Calcific tendonitis involves a buildup of calcium deposits in your tendons that causes swelling and pain but not loss of motion, whereas frozen shoulder causes pain and stiffness (loss of motion).
Adhesive Capsulitis Treatments Typically, frozen shoulder heals within two years without treatment. But, many people find they can’t live with the pain and limited use of their shoulder and decide to get treatment.
Keck Medicine of USC offers a full range of frozen shoulder treatments, including:
Advanced Frozen Shoulder Treatment
Our doctors work with physical therapy specialists to improve your shoulder movement and strength and reduce frozen shoulder pain.
We offer complete care to relieve shoulder pain and stiffness, including nonsurgical and minimally invasive treatments.
Your treatment is managed by the same trusted doctors who care for USC athletes and the LA Kings hockey team.
Our physicians are ranked as “Top Doctors” by Los Angeles magazine and Pasadena magazine.
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Orthopedic Surgery
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Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.9 out of 5
436 Ratings
4.9 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully 4.9 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.9 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery
Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.9 out of 5
195 Ratings
4.9 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully 4.9 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.9 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Hand Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery
Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.9 out of 5
108 Ratings
4.9 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully 4.9 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.9 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopedic Trauma Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery
Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.9 out of 5
166 Ratings
4.9 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully 4.9 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.9 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopedic Oncology, Orthopedic Surgery, Sarcoma
Director of Orthopaedic Athletic Medicine
Patient Rating
4.9 out of 5
525 Ratings
4.9 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully 4.8 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.9 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine, ACL Injuries
Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery Trauma Service at Keck Medicine …
Patient Rating
4.9 out of 5
109 Ratings
4.9 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully 4.9 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.8 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Trauma Surgery
Clinical Assistant Professor of Othopaedic Surgery (Practiti …
Patient Rating
4.9 out of 5
471 Ratings
4.9 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully 4.9 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.9 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine
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Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.9 out of 5
419 Ratings
4.9 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully 4.9 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.9 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery
Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.8 out of 5
203 Ratings
4.8 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully 4.8 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.9 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Sports Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.7 out of 5
362 Ratings
4.7 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.8 Provider Listened Carefully 4.7 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.7 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Sports Medicine
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Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.9 out of 5
470 Ratings
4.9 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully 4.8 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.8 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopedic Surgery, Hip and Knee Orthopedic Surgery
Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.7 out of 5
405 Ratings
4.7 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.8 Provider Listened Carefully 4.7 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.7 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopedic Surgery, Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Surgery, Podiatry
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Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.9 out of 5
138 Ratings
4.9 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.8 Provider Listened Carefully 4.9 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.9 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopedic Oncology, Sarcoma, Orthopedic Surgery
Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery …
Patient Rating
4.6 out of 5
237 Ratings
4.6 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.6 Provider Listened Carefully 4.6 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.6 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopedic Surgery, Hip and Knee Orthopedic Surgery
Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.9 out of 5
274 Ratings
4.9 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully 4.9 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.9 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopedic Surgery, Hip and Knee Orthopedic Surgery
Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.8 out of 5
300 Ratings
4.8 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.8 Provider Listened Carefully 4.8 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.8 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopedic Surgery, Hand Surgery
Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.9 out of 5
757 Ratings
4.9 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully 4.9 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.9 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopedic Surgery, Hip and Knee Orthopedic Surgery
Chief of Spine Medicine, Director of USC Spine Medicine Serv …
Patient Rating
4.8 out of 5
373 Ratings
4.8 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.8 Provider Listened Carefully 4.7 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.8 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Orthopedic Surgery, Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine
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Clinical Assistant Professor of Othopaedic Surgery (Practiti …
Patient Rating
4.9 out of 5
541 Ratings
4.9 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully 4.9 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.9 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine
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Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.8 out of 5
148 Ratings
4.8 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully 4.8 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.8 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Trauma Surgery, Limb Lengthening
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Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.9 out of 5
214 Ratings
4.9 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully 4.9 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.9 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery
Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.8 out of 5
242 Ratings
4.8 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.8 Provider Listened Carefully 4.8 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.8 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery
Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery (Clinical Scholar)
Patient Rating
4.4 out of 5
220 Ratings
4.4 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.4 Provider Listened Carefully 4.3 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.4 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopedic Surgery, Shoulder and Elbow Orthopedic Surgery, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
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Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.9 out of 5
551 Ratings
4.8 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully 4.8 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.9 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopedic Surgery, Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Surgery
Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery ( …
Patient Rating
4.9 out of 5
335 Ratings
4.9 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully 4.9 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.9 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery
Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.8 out of 5
643 Ratings
4.8 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.8 Provider Listened Carefully 4.7 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.8 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Sports Medicine
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Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.8 out of 5
581 Ratings
4.8 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.8 Provider Listened Carefully 4.8 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.8 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Hip and Knee Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine
Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Patient Rating
4.9 out of 5
92 Ratings
4.9 Provider Explanations Easy to Understand 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully 4.8 Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions 0.0 Provider Knew Medical History 4.9 Provider Showed Respect 0.0 Provider Spent Enough Time
Specialties
Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Oncology, Sarcoma
