Frozen Shoulder Classifications

 Frozen Shoulder: Lundberg Classification

Lundberg BJ, Acta Orthop Scand suppl, 119: 1-59, 1969

A. Primary frozen shoulder:

• Shoulder elevation <135 deg
• Limitation of movement only at gleno-humeral articulation
• Radiology normal
• Other causes ie trauma, OA, RA, Hemiplegia etc excluded

B. Secondary frozen shoulder:

• Decreased range of movement following trauma or other known cause

Stages of Frozen Shoulder: Reeves

Reeves B, Scand J Rheumatol, 4: 193-196, 1975

1. Painful stage: 10-36 weeks
2. Stiffness: 4-12 months
3. Recovery: 5-24 months

Arthroscopic stages of Frozen Shoulder: Nevasier

Neviaser, Orthop Clin North Am, 18:439-443, 1987

Stage 1:  Erythematous/ fibrinous synovium
              patient presents as impingement

Stage 2:  Red, angry, thick synovium,
              thick, contracted interval, tight 
              joint space adhesions in the inferior fold

Stage 3:  Pink synovium
              contracted inferior fold, tight joint space

Stage 4:  no evidence of synovitis
              tight inferior fold and joint