While the answer will differ from person to person, it can often take between 16 and 24 months to resolve. If certain measures are taken (such as a focus on stimulating blood flow to the joint capsule of the shoulder), recovery can be accelerated.
Recover from Frozen Shoulder will happen, but many times, the patient often suffers from rather permanent reduced Range of Motion.
The three distinct phases of Frozen Shoulder are as follows:
Freezing Stage - Significant Pain, Inflammation in the Joint Capsule, Reduced Range of Motion
Pain and stiffness build around the shoulder with nagging constant pain that worsens at night. Even though you take NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), they don't make any difference (as they do not address what is happening - a breakdown of tissue within the joint capsule and gradual build-up of scar tissue). This stage will last between 3 and 8 months.
Frozen Stage - Scar Tissue is Very Significant and Range of Motion is Quite Limited. Movements are Painful to Attempt
In this stage, the pain has decreased but the stiffness does not go away. In fact, constriction in the shoulder increases greatly. Pain flares up when you move your arm near the extremes. External rotation ability is severely compromised. This stage will last between 4 months and 1 year.
Thawing Stage - You Finally Begin to Regain Range of Motion Long Term
Assuming you have been focusing on treatments designed to address the source of Frozen Shoulder, you will eventually begin to "thaw" your Frozen Shoulder. Slowly but gradually, movement in the shoulder will return with a decrease in pain when utilizing movements. The stage will last from 4 months to 1 or more years.
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