epidemiology

Last reviewed 04/2022

epidemiology

Prevalence of frozen shoulder is estimated to be 2%–5% in the general population (1).

  • a peak in the condition is seen in the fifth and sixth decades of life and is rare outside these age groups
  • 2–3fold risk is reported in twins when one of them has developed a frozen shoulder.
  •  women are affected more than men

Simultaneous occurrence of the condition in both shoulders is seen in 14% of patients whilst up to 20% of patients will develop some form of similar symptoms in the other shoulder (2).

The risk of recurrence on the contralateral side after an episode of frozen shoulder is 6%–17% within 5 years. Recurrence in the same shoulder is rare (1)

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