In which stage of adhesive capsulitis would a patient typically experience painful sleep?

• A. Freezing
• B. Frozen
• C. Thawing
• D. None of the above

Answer: (A)

In the freezing stage of adhesive capsulitis, also known as shoulder adhesive capsulitis, patients commonly experience significant pain, particularly at night, which can disrupt sleep. This stage is characterized by an inflammatory process that leads to pain and a gradual loss of range of motion in the affected shoulder. During this phase, the pain is often described as sharp and may be exacerbated by certain positions or movements, making finding a comfortable sleeping position challenging.

The frozen stage, on the other hand, typically presents with more stiffness and less pain compared to the freezing phase, although some discomfort may still be present. During the thawing stage, improvement in symptoms generally occurs, and pain tends to diminish significantly, leading to better sleep quality. Therefore, the freezing stage is the phase where patients are most likely to experience painful sleep due to the heightened pain sensitivity and inflammation.