À propos de nous
Frozen Shoulder (capsulitis) cortisone injections at our clinic
We are a leading cortisone injection clinic offering steroid injections for frozen shoulder pain. Steroid injections can bring significant relief from musculoskeletal pain and bring you much-needed respite from your condition.
​
We offer private injections at our Central London and South London Clinics and also offer home visits in the South London area. A free telephone consultation is available to understand whether injections will be helpful and appropriate in your particular case, and your appointment also includes a diagnostic ultrasound consultation to ensure your injection will be safe and give you maximum benefit.
​
Booking is quick and easy, please see our book appointment page for more details.
What is Frozen Shoulder ?
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis or simply capsulitis, is a condition characterized by pain, stiffness, and restricted range of motion in the shoulder joint. It typically develops gradually over time and can progress through distinct stages. Women after 40 are more often affected but the exact cause of frozen shoulder is not always clear, but certain factors may contribute, including inflammation, thickening, and tightening of the joint capsule (the bag surrounding the shoulder joint). It can starts after a trauma or surgery but certain conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and prolonged immobility or smoking may increase the risk of developing frozen shoulder.
​
Individuals with frozen shoulder often experience pain deep in the shoulder which sometimes radiates down the arm, back or the neck and may be more pronounced at night. Stiffness is a hallmark of frozen shoulder. The shoulder gradually becomes more difficult to move, leading to a progressive loss of range of motion. The loss of shoulder mobility affects both active and passive movements. Activities such as reaching overhead, reaching behind the back, or even basic activities like combing hair or putting a bra may become challenging.
​
Frozen shoulder typically progresses through three stages:
​
-
Pain (Freezing) Stage: The initial stage is characterized by the gradual onset of pain, especially with movement. As pain increases, shoulder mobility starts to decline.
-
Frozen Stage: Stiffness becomes more prominent, and range of motion continues to decrease. Pain may persist but often becomes less intense.
-
Thawing Stage: During this stage, there is a gradual improvement in shoulder mobility. Range of motion begins to return, and pain subsides​​​
​
In order to ensure injection therapy is the right course of action in your particular case, we offer a free virtual consultation to get a quick picture of your health and the condition you are experiencing, and advise on whether steroid injections are a good course of action for you. At your appointment we will also carry out a full ultrasound-led diagnosis and assessment to ensure you are receiving the most appropriate treatment and best possible care.
What our patients say
How do cortisone injections help with Frozen Shoulder?
For a long time, frozen shoulder was considered a self-limiting condition resolving spontaneously, however more recent medical research suggests that it is not often the case and that treatment is needed. Cortisone injections have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. When injected directly into the shoulder joint, they can help suppress inflammation in the synovial lining of the joint capsule. Inflammation is a key contributor to the pain and stiffness associated with frozen shoulder. By reducing inflammation, corticosteroids can provide relief from pain associated with frozen shoulder. This can make it more comfortable for individuals to engage in physical therapy and exercises aimed at improving shoulder mobility as inflammation and the formation of adhesions in the joint capsule contribute to the restricted range of motion in frozen shoulder. Corticosteroid injections can help reduce these inflammatory processes, allowing for improved joint mobility.
​
Pain is not to be underestimated and when it becomes bad it can become debilitating and lead to depression. A reduction in mobility due to frozen shoulder can also lead to inactivity which can cause further problems such as postural and health issues, leading to even further inactivity, known as the chronic pain cycle. It is crucial to seek help when you are in pain and not simply try to live with it, as when left unchecked pain can cause gradual deterioration of both mental and physical health.
​
All our treatments include a written report and guidance on moving forward with treating your problem following your injection, so that you can use the opportunity the injection gives to set yourself on a path to better health. We also include a personalised physiotherapy exercise plan wherever appropriate.
​
For more information about cortisone injections and frequently asked questions, see our cortisone injections page.
Are cortisone injections a long-term solution for Frozen Shoulder?
Cortisone injections are usually the best first line treatment for painful frozen shoulder and are usually effective in providing a quick pain relief. A common belief is that cortisone injections do not address the underlying causes of your pain but are there to only rapidly stop the symptoms. However your pain has a massive impact on your daily life and any relief, even temporary, can help significantly with your sleep, work or family activities, and as a result, improve your general wellbeing and mental health.
Medical research suggests that 60% of frozen shoulders resolve after 36 months and fortunately, only 6% of patient with persisting symptoms have severe limitations. We expect that when the steroid effect start to fade away, your shoulder has improved and the pain won't return. ​Steroid injections are typically used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for frozen shoulder. Physiotherapy, exercises, and other conservative measures are often recommended in conjunction with cortisone injections to promote long-term improvement.
At your virtual consultation and first appointment our physiotherapist will carry out diagnostic work to fully understand your problem and explain to you the options available. They will help you to understand how you can use the respite from pain which a corticosteroid injection provides to work directly on your problem and provide you with a personalised exercise plan to avoid reliance on steroids in the future.
Your clinician
All our injection treatments are carried out by our experienced physiotherapist and injection clinician, Maxence Legout. Max has over 15 years experience and holds a senior position in the NHS, where he carries out over 2000 ultrasound-guided injection & procedures every year.
​
For more information please see our clinician page, or book a free online or telephone consultation to speak to Max directly.
10 New Cavendish St,
London, W1G 8UL,
England
​
Our Central London clinic is based in The French Pharmacy in Marylebone.
​​
3 min walk from Harley Street
8 min walk from Bond St tube
20 min from Victoria
​​
​​
​Pilates Studio in Lambeth
88 Atlantic Road,
London, SW9 8PX,
England
​
2 min from Brixton Underground Station
8 min from Pimlico via Victoria Line
15 min from Oxford Circus
27 min from King's Cross St Pancras ​