Can you see anything on the outside of the shoulder? | These are the symptoms of a stiff shoulder

Can you see anything on the outside of the shoulder?

In general, external signs are not visible. Since external symptoms are usually missing, those affected are usually not taken seriously by their surroundings. If the shoulder has become stiff due to an inflammation, typical signs of inflammation may initially be visible from the outside.

These include redness of the shoulder and the surrounding area. On the other hand – but rather rarely occurring – a swelling around the shoulder joint can occur. If the shoulder has been restricted or immobilized for a longer period of time, the musculature may atrophy (muscle atrophy). This is noticeable, for example, when both shoulders are compared in shape or the affected shoulder musculature looks collapsed, for example. You can find information about all treatment options for shoulder stiffness under This is how a frozen shoulder is treated

Symptoms of phase 1

The first phase is also called “freezing”. This phase can last from two to nine months. During this time, there is a slight inflammation of the joint capsule and increasingly severe pain, which increasingly restricts mobility. However, the restriction of movement is not yet the main focus in this phase. This phase is also accompanied by pain at night or even pain at rest.

Symptoms of phase 2

The second phase is also called “being frozen”. The shrinkage of the joint capsule causes the symptoms here. This results in a maximum restriction of movement of the shoulder in all directions. The pain continues to decrease during this phase. The restricted movement also leads to a reduction in the musculature (muscle atrophy), which can be visually noticeable.

Symptoms of the 3rd phase