A shoulder that stiffens after a crash injury
Insight from a shoulder specialist and a physical therapist
Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, brings growing pain and a loss of shoulder motion. It can start after an injury or after a stretch of time with the arm kept still. Plain weakness works differently. With frozen shoulder, the joint stays limited even when someone else gently tries to move it. [1]
A crash can also cause a broken bone, a torn tendon, arthritis or a nerve problem. So the cause of the stiffness needs a careful exam. [1]
Find the cause before you push the stretch
Tell your doctor when the stiffness started. Name the tasks that are now hard, like getting dressed or reaching for a seat belt. Ask if it’s safe to stretch the joint given your original injury. The exam may compare how far you can move the arm on your own with how far it moves with help. X rays or other tests may help rule out another cause. [1]
Match care to your stage
Pain control and guided stretching are common parts of treatment. Some people are offered a shoulder injection. Recovery can take many months. Pushing harder isn’t always better, especially when pain is high. [1]
Ask a therapist for a short home program you can repeat and a clear goal for progress. If you had surgery or have a healing fracture, its movement limits come first. [1]
Get a recheck for surprise changes
Call your care team if weakness suddenly gets worse or new numbness shows up. Also call for a fever, marked redness or pain that keeps climbing instead of following the expected path. These signs may point to a problem other than frozen shoulder. [1]
Questions about what limits the motion
- What is limiting my motion: pain, a tight joint capsule or another injury?
- Which movements are safe with my original injury?
- How will we measure progress over the next month?
Get your home plan in writing
Ask for a written plan of home movements that fits your current healing limits. [1]
Sources and further reading
General education from shoulder care and physical therapy. After a crash, a stiff shoulder may have more than one cause. Before you stretch, have the original injury and any limits from a repair checked.
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Guides, self-checks and articles for drivers, parents of new drivers, and families recovering after a crash.
