Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that affects the shoulder joint. It begins with pain, followed by a gradual loss of movement in the shoulder. There are three stages of frozen shoulder:

1. Freezing Phase: This phase is very painful. You may feel sharp pain even when resting and experience pain during certain movements. Nighttime pain can disrupt sleep, and this phase can last anywhere from 3 to 9 months.

2. Frozen Phase: During this stage, the shoulder becomes stiffer, and pain can still occur at the extremes of movement. You may notice a progressive loss of shoulder movement. This phase typically lasts around 4 to 12 months.

3. Thawing Phase: In this final stage, you’ll start to see improvements in the ability to move your shoulder. This phase can last anywhere from 1 to 3.5 years.