Frozen Shoulder Treatment in Singapore
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) causes pain and restricted movement when the shoulder joint capsule becomes inflamed and tight. At Gleneagles Hospital and Mount Alvernia Hospital, orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Poh Keng Soon, fellowship-trained in sports, shoulder and elbow surgery, assesses shoulder stiffness and recommends treatment options, including guided physiotherapy, pain management, steroid injections and X-ray-guided hydrodilatation. For persistent stiffness despite non-surgical treatment, he also performs keyhole (arthroscopic) capsular release to address the tightened joint capsule.
What is a Frozen Shoulder?
The shoulder joint capsule is a layer of connective tissue surrounding the ball-and-socket joint, providing stability while allowing movement. In the frozen shoulder, the capsule loses flexibility, restricting movements such as rotating the arm outwards, lifting it overhead or reaching behind the back.
What Are the Causes of Frozen Shoulders?
While frozen shoulders can manifest following periods of immobilisation post-injury, such as sprain, tendon injury, tear, shoulder fracture, or surgery, a considerable portion of cases arise without a clear precipitating event. Despite ongoing research, the precise triggers remain elusive. However, certain factors such as age, gender (with women being more susceptible), diabetes, and thyroid disorders are commonly associated with its development.
Symptoms and Stages of Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder typically presents with varying degrees of pain, dull achiness, and stiffness of the joint. These symptoms can significantly affect sleep and daily activities. Frozen shoulder typically goes through three overlapping phases:
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Freezing phase: This initial phase is often painful, with shoulder movement becoming increasingly restricted. It may last up to nine months.
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Frozen phase: Pain may ease, but shoulder stiffness and restricted movement persist. This phase generally lasts four to six months.
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Thawing phase: Pain gradually decreases and shoulder movement improves over time. This phase may last up to 24 months.
The duration and severity of each phase vary between patients.
How Is Frozen Shoulder Diagnosed?
Dr Poh assesses frozen shoulder through a review of your symptoms and a physical examination of shoulder movement. A characteristic finding is restricted movement in multiple directions, including when the arm is moved by the examiner (passive range of motion). This helps distinguish frozen shoulders from conditions such as rotator cuff tears, where weakness or pain may be the main limitation.
Depending on the clinical findings, investigations may include:
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X-ray: Helps rule out other causes of shoulder stiffness, particularly osteoarthritis.
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MRI Scan: May be recommended to investigate underlying soft tissue conditions, including rotator cuff tears.
Frozen Shoulder Treatment Without Surgery
Physiotherapy and pain management are central to non-surgical frozen shoulder treatment. Depending on the severity of pain and stiffness, the following options may be recommended:
Guided Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy focuses on stretching exercises to restore shoulder range of motion, which patients may continue at home as advised. Dr. Poh works closely with several physiotherapy providers and can recommend one upon request or liaise with your existing physiotherapist on your treatment plan.
Frozen Shoulder Injection and Hydrodilatation
When pain or restricted movement persists, injection-based treatments may be recommended:
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Corticosteroid Injection: Aims to reduce inflammation and relieve shoulder pain.
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Hydrodilatation: An X-ray-guided injection that expands the joint space by stretching the tightened capsule.
Both are treatment options that may be used alongside physiotherapy and pain management.
Keyhole Capsular Release for Frozen Shoulder
For some individuals with frozen shoulders, conservative treatments may not provide sufficient relief, and surgical intervention may be recommended to improve symptoms and restore shoulder function.
Dr. Poh performs arthroscopic capsular release, using a small camera and surgical instruments inserted through small incisions to release the tightened joint capsule and adhesions. This is typically followed by manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA), during which he moves the shoulder while the patient is under general anaesthesia to release remaining adhesions and scar tissue.
Recovery After Frozen Shoulder Surgery
Following frozen shoulder surgery, postoperative rehabilitation is important for maintaining shoulder function. The duration and intensity of rehabilitation vary depending on individual recovery.
Recovery after frozen shoulder surgery may involve the following stages:
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Early Shoulder Movement: Guided exercises help maintain the range of motion achieved during surgery and reduce the risk of recurrent stiffness.
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Regaining Range of Motion: Stretching and joint mobilisation exercises help address remaining movement restrictions, with exercises continued at home as advised.
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Rebuilding Shoulder Strength: Strengthening exercises are gradually introduced according to shoulder mobility, pain levels and recovery progress.
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Returning to Daily Activities: Activities such as dressing, reaching overhead, driving and working are resumed according to functional recovery and medical advice.
Frozen Shoulder Treatment With Dr Poh Keng Soon
Dr. Poh Keng Soon is a registered orthopaedic specialist with the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) and has completed subspecialty fellowship training in sports, shoulder and elbow surgery. His practice includes non-surgical management of frozen shoulder and arthroscopic capsular release with manipulation under anaesthesia for patients requiring surgical treatment.
Qualifications & Professional Appointments
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Medical Qualifications: MRCS (Edinburgh, 2013), MMed (Orthopaedic Surgery, NUS, 2017) and FRCS (Edinburgh, 2018).
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Subspecialty Fellowship: Completed training in sports, shoulder and elbow surgery in Melbourne, Australia, under a Ministry of Health HMDP award.
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Clinical & Academic Appointments: Visiting Consultant at National University Hospital and Adjunct Assistant Professor at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.
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Hospital Accreditation: Dr.Poh is accredited to perform surgery at Gleneagles, Mount Elizabeth, Mount Elizabeth Novena, Parkway East, Mount Alvernia, Farrer Park, Thomson Medical Centre, Cura Day Surgery, Aptus Surgery Centre and Novaptus Surgery Centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
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Singapore General Hospital. Frozen Shoulder. SingHealth. https://www.singhealth.com.sg/symptoms-treatments/shoulder-elbow-frozen-shoulder
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Mayo Clinic. Frozen Shoulder: Symptoms and Causes. Updated 1 May 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/frozen-shoulder/symptoms-causes/syc-20372684
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Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust. Shoulder Hydrodilatation for Frozen Shoulder. https://www.gatesheadhealth.nhs.uk/resources/shoulder-hydrodilatation-for-frozen-shoulder/
Clinic Locations
Gleneagles Hospital
Orthopaedic and Hand Surgery Partners
#03-37 Annexe Block
6A Napier Road
Singapore 258500
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Sunday & Public Holidays: Closed
Mount Alvernia Hospital
Orthopaedic and Hand Surgery Partners
#06-08 Medical Center A
820 Thomson Road
Singapore 574623
Operating Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Sunday & Public Holidays: Closed
Tel: +65-6970 7748
Mobile/WhatsApp: +65 8129 1019
Contact Us
Consult our orthopaedic elbow specialist for persistent elbow pain, injuries or an assessment of suitable treatment options. Book an appointment directly via the link, submit the enquiry form, WhatsApp us or call our landline for further enquiries.
Insurance: The clinic can also assist with enquiries regarding insurance claims.