Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diagnosis and Non-Surgical Treatment of Primary Frozen Shoulder
- Author:
Byung Chan LEE
1
;
Gi-Wook KIM
;
Keewon KIM
;
Nackhwan KIM
;
Dong Hwan KIM
;
Doo Young KIM
;
Du Hwan KIM
;
Beom Suk KIM
;
Seong Hun KIM
;
In Jong KIM
;
Hyun Jung KIM
;
Yoonju NA
;
Kyung Eun NAM
;
Sung Gyu MOON
;
Chang-Won MOON
;
Kyunghoon MIN
;
Donghwi PARK
;
Myung Woo PARK
;
Yong Bok PARK
;
Jae Hyeon PARK
;
Chul-Hyun PARK
;
Hyeng-Kyu PARK
;
Yunsoo SOH
;
Jaeki AHN
;
Seoyon YANG
;
Kyeong Eun UHM
;
Sun Jae WON
;
Yu Hui WON
;
Dong Hwan YUN
;
Yu Sung YOON
;
Jin A YOON
;
Byeong-Ju LEE
;
Woo Hyung LEE
;
Yun Jung LEE
;
Jae-Hyun LEE
;
Jong Hwa LEE
;
Yu Jin IM
;
Jae-Young LIM
;
Min Cheol CHANG
;
Sung Joon CHUNG
;
Il Young JUNG
;
Sungju JEE
;
Kyoung Hyo CHOI
;
Jong-Moon HWANG
;
Jae-Young HAN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From: Clinical Pain 2025;24(1):1-26
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:Primary frozen shoulder causes significant pain and progressively restricts shoulder movements. Diagnosis is made clinically based on patient history and physical examination. Management is mainly non-invasive owing to its self-limiting clinical course. However, clinical practice guidelines for frozen shoulder have not yet been developed in Korea. The developed guidelines aim to provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of frozen shoulder.
Methods:A guideline development committee reviewed the literature from four databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and KMbase). Using the Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcome (PICO) framework, the committee formulated two backgrounds and 16 key questions to address common clinical concerns. Recommendations were made using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework.
Results:Diabetes, thyroid disease, and dyslipidemia significantly increase the risk of developing a frozen shoulder. Although frozen shoulder is often self-limiting, some patients may experience long-term functional disabilities. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging should be used as adjunctive tools alongside clinical diagnosis, and rather than as independent diagnostic methods. Noninvasive approaches, such as medications, physical modalities, exercises, electrical stimulation, and manual therapy, may reduce pain and improve shoulder function. Other noninvasive interventions have limited evidence, and their application should be based on clinical judgment. Intra-articular steroid injections are recommended for treatment, and physiotherapy or hydrodilation with steroid injections can also be beneficial.
Conclusion:These guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for diagnosing and treating primary frozen shoulder.
