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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffAlthough the exact cause is unknown, certain factors may increase your risk of developing frozen shoulder.
Age and sex
People 40 and older are more likely to experience frozen shoulder. About 70 percent of the people who develop the condition are women.
Immobility
People who have experienced prolonged immobility of their shoulder are at higher risk of developing frozen shoulder. Immobility may be the result of many factors, including:
- Rotator cuff injury
- Broken arm
- Stroke
- Recovery from surgery
Systemic diseases
People who have certain medical problems appear to be predisposed to develop frozen shoulder. Examples include:
- Diabetes
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Tuberculosis
- Parkinson's disease
- Canale ST, et al. Adhesive capsulitis. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/118357423-5/797903506/1584/341.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03329-9..50047-7--cesec41_2408. Accessed Jan. 29, 2009.
- Anderson BC. Frozen shoulder. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 29, 2009.
- Krabik BJ, et al. Adhesive capsulitis. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/118477770-4/798285468/1678/13.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50012-2_144. Accessed Jan. 30, 2009.
- Noble J, et al. Periarticular rheumatic disorders: Shoulder area. In: Noble J, et al. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2001. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/118477770-6/798316122/959/864.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-00828-3..50139-4--cesec16_4159. Accessed Jan. 30, 2009.
- Neurological tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Jan. 30, 2009.
- An introduction to acupuncture. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction.htm. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Miller RD. Management of chronic pain: Rehabilitation. In: Miller RD. Miller's Anesthesia. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/119273143-5/0/1255/1.html?tocnode=53060557&fromURL=1.html#4-u1.0-B0-443-06618-3..X5001-4--TOP_1. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 6, 2009.
