title: The stiff shoulder.
abstract: Shoulder stiffness is a common but poorly understood disorder of the glenohumeral joint. Many terms are used to describe a stiff shoulder, including frozen shoulder and adhesive capsulitis. This article reviews the terminology, classification, diagnostic options, and management options of shoulder stiffness. Conservative measures,emphasizing a four-quadrant stretching program, typically produce effective treatment outcomes. Operative interventions, which may be required for the small percentage of patients who fail conservative therapy, are also presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195, USA. mharrast@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Harrast
authors.forename: Anita G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy; D017679:Cryotherapy; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D012026:Reflex, Stretch; D012782:Shoulder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*