Frozen shoulder is also known as periarthritis of the shoulder joint. It is a chronic and specific inflammation of the shoulder capsule and its surrounding ligaments, tendons and bursae that is characterized by gradual pain in the shoulder, which is worse at night and progressively worsens, limiting the movement of the shoulder joint, and gradually relieving after reaching a certain level. The prevalence of frozen shoulder is as high as 90% in people over 50 years old! Does a sore shoulder mean frozen shoulder? How can I test myself for frozen shoulder? A. Shoulder pain Initially, the shoulder pain is paroxysmal, most of them are chronic, later the pain gradually increases or dull pain, or cut-like pain, and it is persistent. The pain can spread to the neck and upper limbs (especially the elbow), and when the shoulder is bumped or pulled by chance, it can often cause severe tearing pain. If the pain is caused by cold, it is particularly sensitive to climate change. Shoulder pressure pain Most patients can feel significant pressure pain in and around the diseased joint. There are two types of pressure pain: one is in the form of pressure pain points, and there can be many pressure pain points; the other is widespread pressure pain, which is commonly known as “pressing where it hurts”. The pressure points are mostly in the biceps longus tendon groove, the subacromial bursa, the rostral process, and the supraspinatus attachment point. The pressure pain of frozen shoulder indicates that there may be adhesions deep inside the pressure point, and also means osteoporosis and muscle atrophy. Muscle atrophy and spasm The deltoid, supraspinatus and other muscles may develop spasm in the early stage. In the late stage, disuse muscle atrophy may occur, with typical symptoms such as shoulder peak protrusion, inconvenience in lifting and unfavorable backbend, etc. At this time, pain symptoms are reduced instead. Shoulder joint activity may be restricted in all directions, with abduction, supination, internal rotation and external rotation being more obvious. As the disease progresses, adhesions of the joint capsule and soft tissues around the shoulder caused by long-term disuse, muscle strength gradually decreases, and the rostro-humeral ligament is fixed in a shortened internal rotation position, so that the active and passive activities of the shoulder joint in all directions are limited. In particular, it is difficult to comb the hair, put on clothes, wash the face and fork the waist, etc. In severe cases, the function of the elbow joint can also be affected, and the hand cannot touch the ipsilateral shoulder when flexing the elbow, especially when the arm is posteriorly extended. Many patients use cotton pads to wrap their shoulders all year round, and even in the summer, they do not dare to blow on their shoulders. If you have the above symptoms, then you probably have frozen shoulder and it is best to go to the hospital for further examination.