What is the Difference Between Shoulder Impingement and Frozen Shoulder

Shoulder impingement and frozen shoulder are two conditions affecting the shoulder joint, restricting the movement around the shoulder. Shoulders are the most movable joints in the body. There are three joints in the shoulder: clavicle (collarbone), scapula (shoulder blade), and humerus (upper arm bone).

The key difference between shoulder impingement and frozen shoulder is their cause. Shoulder impingement occurs when bones in the shoulder pinch the rotator cuff, while frozen shoulder occurs when the capsule enclosing the shoulder joints thickens and tightens around the shoulder joint.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Shoulder Impingement  
3. What is Frozen Shoulder
4. Similarities – Shoulder Impingement and Frozen Shoulder
5. Shoulder Impingement vs Frozen Shoulder in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Shoulder Impingement vs Frozen Shoulder
7. FAQ – Shoulder Impingement and Frozen Shoulder

What is Shoulder Impingement?

Shoulder impingement is also known as rotator cuff tendinitis. This condition occurs when the top outer edge of the shoulder blade (scapula) pinches the rotator cuff beneath it. Shoulder impingement causes around half of all cases of shoulder pain. The symptoms of this condition include pain in the top and outer side of the shoulder, pain that’s worse when lifting the arm, pain at night, and weakness in your arm.

Shoulder impingement can be diagnosed through physical examination, X-ray, MRI, and ultrasound. Furthermore, treatment options for shoulder impingement may include resting, physical therapy, applying ice to the affected area, taking NSAIDs, and corticosteroids.

Figure 01: Shoulder Joint

What is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is also called adhesive capsulitis. It occurs when the capsule enclosing the shoulder joint thickens and tightens around the shoulder joint. The two main symptoms of frozen shoulder are pain in the shoulder, which can be worse at night and disturb sleep and cause stiffness in the shoulder, which makes it difficult to move.

Frozen shoulder can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, X-ray, MRI, and ultrasound. Furthermore, treatment options for frozen shoulder are hot and cold compresses, taking pain relievers such as NSAIDs, physical therapy, home exercise programs, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

Similarities Between Shoulder Impingement and Frozen Shoulder

1. Shoulder impingement and frozen shoulder are two conditions affecting the shoulder joints.
2. Both conditions restrict the movement around the shoulder.
3. Both conditions can have similar symptoms, such as shoulder pain, sleep difficulties, etc.
4. Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests.
5. They can be treated by taking pain relievers and physical therapy.

Difference Between Shoulder Impingement and Frozen Shoulder

Definition

1. Shoulder impingement is a shoulder condition that occurs when a tendon inside the shoulder rubs or catches on nearby tissue and bone.
2. Frozen shoulder is a shoulder condition that occurs when the capsule enclosing the shoulder joint becomes so thick and tight.

Commonness

1. Shoulder impingement is comparatively a more common condition.
2. Frozen shoulder is comparatively a less common condition.

Symptoms

1. The symptoms of shoulder impingement may include pain in the top and outer sides of the shoulder, pain that’s worse when people lift their arm, pain or aching at night, and weakness in the arm.
2. The symptoms of frozen shoulder may include the pain that usually prevents moving the arm and the related lack of movement that can lead to stiffness and even a loss of mobility.

Diagnosis

1. Shoulder impingement can be diagnosed through physical examination, X-ray, MRI, and ultrasound.
2. Frozen shoulder can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, X-ray, MRI, and ultrasound.

Treatment

1. Treatments for shoulder impingement include shoulder exercises, taking steroid injections, and undergoing a surgery called arthroscopy.
2. Treatments for frozen shoulder include physical therapy, taking NSAIDs to restore motion and function of the shoulder, and undergoing a recommended surgery.

The following summarizes the difference between shoulder impingement and frozen shoulder.

Summary – Shoulder Impingement vs Frozen Shoulder

Shoulder conditions can cause shoulder pain and restrict movement around the shoulder. Shoulder impingement and frozen shoulder are two conditions affecting shoulder joints. Shoulder impingement is also known as rotator cuff tendinitis, which occurs when the rotator cuff rubs against the top of the shoulder, while frozen shoulder is also known as adhesive capsulitis, which occurs when the capsule of the shoulder joint becomes inflamed. This is the main difference between shoulder impingement and frozen shoulder.

FAQ: Shoulder Impingement and Frozen Shoulder

1. What is the main cause of shoulder impingement?

• Shoulder impingement can occur when the rotator cuff rubs against the top of the shoulder. This can be due to an injury, overuse of the shoulder, or “wear and tear” with age.

2. How to treat shoulder impingement?

• Treatment options for shoulder impingement may include resting, physical therapy, applying ice to the affected area, taking NSAIDs and steroid injections, and undergoing a surgery called arthroscopy.

3. What does a frozen shoulder feel like?

• A frozen shoulder causes pain in the shoulder, which prevents you from moving the arm, and the related lack of movement that can lead to stiffness and even a loss of mobility.

4. What is the root cause of frozen shoulder?

• Frozen shoulder is often caused by inflammation of the capsule, tissue surrounding the shoulder joint. The risk factors for frozen shoulder include diabetes mellitus, stroke, thyroid disorder, shoulder injury, Dupuytren disease, Parkinson disease, cancer, and complex regional pain syndrome.

5. How to get rid of a frozen shoulder fast?

• The treatment options for frozen shoulder include hot or cold compression packs, physical therapy, taking NSAIDs to restore motion and function of the shoulder, and undergoing a recommended surgery.

Reference:

1. “Frozen Shoulder.” Penn Medicine.Org.

2.Hersh, Erica. “Shoulder Impingement: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Exercises.” Healthline.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Shoulder joint” By National Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases (NIAMS); SVG version by Angelito7 (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

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