Adhesive Capsulitis
Adhesive capsulitis, often called frozen shoulder, causes painful stiffness and reduced range of motion in the shoulder.
When to get help quickly: It is not usually urgent, but prompt review is important if pain started after a major injury, there is fever, or there is marked weakness rather than just stiffness.
Common symptoms
Symptoms usually include shoulder pain, especially at night, and increasing stiffness that makes it hard to lift the arm, dress, or reach behind the back.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps rule out another cause of shoulder pain and can support the diagnosis when the shoulder becomes stiff without a major injury.
What radiology does
X-rays may exclude arthritis, while ultrasound or MRI can help assess the joint capsule and rule out other shoulder problems.
What usually happens next
Treatment often includes pain control, physiotherapy, stretching, injections, and patience because recovery can take time.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.