Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that can cause stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. Many people believe that it will get better on its own within a year, but that might not be the case for everyone. In this blog, we will explain in simple terms how long a frozen shoulder can last and what factors can affect its duration.

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Duration of Frozen Shoulder: While it is true that some people with a mild form of frozen shoulder may see improvement and resolution within a year, this is not the case for everyone. Studies have shown that even after the shoulder appears to have recovered, weakness may still persist for 2-3 years. A complete recovery is achieved when three important factors improve significantly: pain, range of movement, and strength. Ideally, all three should improve to a score of 10/10 for a complete recovery.

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Impact on Diabetic Patients:For individuals with diabetes, even after the frozen shoulder has resolved, there may still be a deficit in strength and external rotation compared to individuals without diabetes. This means that diabetic patients may experience lingering weakness in their shoulder.​​

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Possibility of Recurrence: It's important to note that approximately 30% of individuals who have experienced a frozen shoulder are at risk of recurrence. This recurrence often affects the opposite shoulder after a few years.