title: Shoulder stiffness: management.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are several causes of painful, stiff shoulders--each with a different method of treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article summarises the methods available to treat the various causes of stiff shoulders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Impingement and partial thickness rotator cuff tears can be treated by the general practitioner with a subacromial steroid injection. Calcific tendinitis can be aspirated under ultrasound guidance when the deposit is immature. Acute full thickness tears are best managed surgically. We recommend arthroscopic capsular release with appropriate postoperative rehabilitation program for frozen shoulder. With a well functioning rotator cuff, good results can be expected with shoulder replacement in advanced arthritis.
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, Orthopaedic Research Institute, University of New South Wales, St George Hospital Campus, Sydney, New South Wales.
authors.forename: Divya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bhargav
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Murrell
mesh_terms: D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D008349:Manipulation, Orthopedic; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D019534:Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012785:Shoulder Joint; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids