Experiencing shoulder pain and stiffness that won’t go away? Consult Dr Dennis Ng, a fellowship-trained and accredited orthopaedic specialist with over 15 years of experience diagnosing and treating frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) using the latest minimally invasive techniques.
Frozen shoulder develops gradually and can be easy to dismiss as ordinary shoulder pain. Here are the key warning signs to watch out for:
Frozen shoulder, medically termed adhesive capsulitis, is a painful condition where the connective tissue (capsule) surrounding the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, thickened, and contracted. This reduces the joint’s available space and significantly limits both active and passive range of motion. The condition affects approximately 2–5% of the general population and typically progresses through three distinct stages.
Duration: 6 weeks – 9 months
The most painful phase. Diffuse shoulder pain begins gradually and intensifies, particularly at night. Range of motion starts to decrease as stiffness sets in. Patients are often still functional but with increasing limitations.
Duration: 4 – 12 months
Pain may begin to ease, but stiffness becomes the primary concern. Range of motion is severely restricted, making daily tasks — dressing, reaching overhead, driving — very challenging.
Duration: 6 months – 2 years
Shoulder motion gradually returns, and pain continues to decrease. Full recovery is possible with appropriate treatment, though residual stiffness may persist without rehabilitation.
Dr Dennis Ng takes a structured, staged approach — beginning with the most conservative options and progressing only when clinically indicated. All treatment plans are personalised to your stage, severity, and lifestyle goals.
Surgical treatment is typically recommended only when symptoms persist after 6–9 months of well-managed conservative care. The majority of patients see significant improvement with non-surgical approaches. Dr Dennis Ng will guide you through the most appropriate pathway based on your individual condition.
Structured range-of-motion and strengthening exercises tailored to your stage of frozen shoulder. Physiotherapy is the cornerstone of conservative care and is recommended for all patients — ideally combined with other treatments for optimal results.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen help manage pain and reduce inflammation, particularly during the freezing stage. While they do not alter the course of the condition, they can ease discomfort enough to allow patients to engage more effectively with physiotherapy.
Direct injection into the shoulder joint to reduce inflammation and pain. Most beneficial during the early freezing stage, and evidence supports combining injections with physiotherapy for better outcomes than either treatment alone.
A sterile fluid solution is injected under imaging guidance to expand the contracted joint capsule. This may offer additional benefit for some patients, particularly those in the late freezing or early frozen stage. Best considered as part of a broader treatment plan rather than as a standalone intervention.
Dr Dennis Ng’s preferred surgical technique for refractory frozen shoulder. A minimally invasive procedure that precisely releases the thickened, contracted capsule to restore mobility. Both ACR and manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) have demonstrated good outcomes in the literature — the most appropriate approach is determined based on your individual clinical profile.
Performed under general anaesthesia, the shoulder is carefully guided through its full range of motion to release the contracted capsule. A well-established technique with outcomes comparable to arthroscopic release in most patients. May be considered alongside or as an alternative to ACR, depending on clinical indication.
Dedicated physiotherapy beginning immediately after surgery and continuing for 4–6 months is essential to maintain and build upon the restored range of motion achieved during the procedure. Dr Ng provides a personalised aftercare plan tailored to your recovery goals.
Dr Dennis Ng Zhaowen is a Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with a subspecialty focus on shoulder, knee, and elbow conditions. Before entering private practice, he served as Deputy Head of the Shoulder & Elbow Division and the Sports Knee Division at the National University Hospital (NUH) — one of Singapore’s foremost public hospitals.
He was awarded the Gold Medal for the FRCSEd (Orth) examination in 2015 — given to the top candidate in the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons — and holds a Ministry of Health scholarship for subspecialty training at the globally recognised Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Centre in Canada. He has treated national and professional athletes across basketball, football, judo, rugby, cycling, and more.
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Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a specific condition where the shoulder joint capsule becomes inflamed, thickened, and contracted — leading to both pain and significant loss of active and passive range of motion. This distinguishes it from rotator cuff tears (in which passive movement is often preserved) or shoulder impingement (in which pain occurs in a specific arc). A specialist examination is essential for an accurate diagnosis.
Frozen shoulder can resolve without treatment, but this process typically takes 1–3 years and may still result in residual stiffness. The years of pain and disability have a significant impact on quality of life, sleep, and work. Evidence-based treatment significantly accelerates recovery and, for many patients, prevents the need for surgery altogether.
Recovery varies by stage and treatment type. With physiotherapy and injections, most patients see meaningful improvement within 3–6 months. If surgery such as arthroscopic capsular release (ACR) or manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) is required, structured physiotherapy should begin immediately after the procedure and continue for 4–6 months to maintain and consolidate the range of motion restored during surgery. Dr Ng will provide a realistic and personalised timeline at your consultation.
Certain eligible surgical procedures — such as arthroscopic capsular release — may be claimable under Medisave or your Integrated Shield Plan, depending on the procedure and your policy. Our clinic team assists with verifying eligibility, obtaining Letters of Guarantee, and navigating pre-authorisation. Contact us at +65 6334 1486 for assistance.
Recurrence in the same shoulder is uncommon after complete resolution. However, frozen shoulder can develop in the opposite shoulder, particularly in patients with underlying diabetes or thyroid conditions. Approximately 6–17% of patients may develop it in the contralateral shoulder within 5 years. Regular mobility exercises and management of underlying conditions help reduce this risk.
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38 Irrawaddy Road, #08-41
Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre
Singapore 329563
Monday – Friday: 9am – 1pm; 2pm – 5pm
Saturday: 9am – 1pm
Sunday & PH: CLOSED
6 Napier Road #07-15
Gleneagles Medical Center
Singapore 258499
Monday – Friday: 9am – 1pm; 2pm – 5pm
Saturday: 9am – 1pm
Sunday & PH: CLOSED