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Frozen shoulder makes the shoulder painful and very stiff. It does get better, but it can take a long time. An ultrasound-guided injection, especially in the early stage, may ease pain and help you move.
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, happens when the tissue around the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, thickened and tight. It’s most common between 40 and 60, in women, and in people with diabetes.
It usually goes through stages: a painful “freezing” stage, a stiff “frozen” stage and a gradual “thawing” stage. The whole process can take one to three years.
Symptoms
Symptoms of frozen shoulder
Pain
A deep ache in the shoulder, often worse at night and when lying on that side.
Stiffness
Losing movement in every direction, especially turning the arm outwards.
Everyday difficulty
Trouble reaching up, behind your back, or getting dressed.
Stages
Pain often eases as the stiffness takes over, then movement slowly returns.
Treatment options
Treatment for frozen shoulder
Steroid injection
£250
An ultrasound-guided steroid injection into the shoulder joint to ease pain and inflammation, most helpful in the early, painful stage.
Book online or call us. Many of our consultations are free.
02
Assessment
We listen to your history, examine you and, where it helps, scan the area with ultrasound.
03
Your plan
We explain what we think is going on and your options, with costs, so you can decide.
04
Treatment and review
We start treatment if it’s right for you, and check your progress as you go.
The research
What does the evidence say?
A review comparing treatments for frozen shoulder found that a steroid injection into the joint, given early, was linked with better short-term improvement in pain and movement than other options, and that adding home exercises helped [1]. That’s why we combine an injection, where suitable, with a simple exercise programme.
Self-care
Helping yourself
Keep the shoulder moving gently within your pain. Avoid forcing painful stretches.
Heat or simple painkillers can help, especially at night.
If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar well controlled may help.
Your clinicians
Meet the team
Gary Edwards
Injection Therapist and Chiropractor, Clinic Director
GCC 03996
Dr Gabriel Azzini
Doctor, Sport & Exercise Medicine
GMC 7689922
Registered and regulated
Google reviews
What our patients say
5.0from 150 Google reviews
Frozen shoulder★★★★★
Gary helped me with my frozen shoulder. He was very thorough, professional and informative. I was given a cortisone injection, which he talked me through. During the procedure he was calming and efficient.
Annette P. · 2026 · Google review
Cortisone injection★★★★★
I recently had an ultrasound guided cortisone injection with Gary… Gary took the time to explain everything clearly before the procedure which really put me at ease, not easy when you’re not a fan of needles! The process itself was essentially pain free.
Most people get most of their movement back over time, but it can take one to three years. Treatment aims to ease pain and help you move better in the meantime.
When is an injection most useful?
Research suggests steroid injections help most in the early, painful stage [1]. We’ll advise whether one is likely to help you.
Do you offer hydrodistension?
No. We offer ultrasound-guided steroid injections and exercise-based care.
Got another question?Ask us at your consultation. You don’t have to go ahead.
ClinicVale Health Clinic, 31–33 Vale Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1BS
References
Challoumas D, Biddle M, McLean M, Millar NL. Comparison of treatments for frozen shoulder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open 2020;3(12):e2029581. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.29581
Written by Gary Edwards, Injection Therapist (PG Cert Injection Therapy) and Chiropractor (GCC 03996). Last updated 15 October 2026.
