Painful shoulder stiffness (frozen shoulder) occurs as a primary disorder (i.e. without any previous condition) in women aged between 40 and 50.
The reason for this rare form of shoulder stiffness is inflammation of the lining of the joint (synovial membrane). The causes of primary frozen shoulder are not known and the condition requires specific treatment.
By contrast, so-called secondary frozen shoulder results from prolonged periods of immobilisation after injury and surgery of the rotator cuff. In such cases both active movement, i.e. movement caused by contraction of the shoulder muscles, as well as passive movement, i.e. when the arm is moved by somebody or something, are painful. The joint may also be swollen and often feels excessively warm.
The Impingement Syndrome
A painful entrapment of the tendons occurs. The impingement syndrome is a functional impairment of the shoulder joint, e.g. through chronic overuse or as a result of ruptures and bone changes.