Frozen Shoulder

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It is called a frozen shoulder and it gets its name honestly. People with frozen shoulder account for only two percent of people with shoulder pain but they have extreme difficulty moving the shoulder.

Risk factors for frozen shoulder include being older, female sex, previous trauma or surgery. What is particularly interesting is that people who have diabetes, heart disease and thyroid disease are more likely to have frozen shoulder.

Another thing we see with frzen shoulder is that it is made worse by other problems that add to restricted movement -- a rotator cuff tear is a classic problem where this occurs. The best way to treat this kind of pain is to be evaluated by a physician and then consider physical therapy as well as medications to help with movement.

One thing is crucial. The longer you go without treatment, the greater the problems.

Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor