Shoulder Stiffness

Diagnosing and treating a stiff shoulder poses a significant clinical challenge. Achieving consensus on diagnostic criteria is essential to effectively define and categorize the various descriptions used for stiff shoulders. The ISAKOS Upper Extremity Committee has established a practical standard for definition, diagnosis, and treatment in “Shoulder Stiffness: Current Concepts and Concerns,” which will be presented and discussed in this chapter. The primary classification will distinguish between idiopathic frozen shoulder and secondary stiff shoulder. In idiopathic frozen shoulder, conservative therapy is the first choice. In secondary stiff shoulder, defining and treating the underlying cause of restricted mobility are essential. Intervention other than physiotherapy, intra-articular steroid injections or oral corticosteroids for idiopathic frozen shoulder currently have insufficient evidence for definitive conclusions and its use is discouraged.