Adhesive capsulitis of shoulder

This code represents a condition characterized by pain and significant loss of active and passive range of motion in the shoulder joint, often without a clear precipitating event. It involves inflammation and subsequent fibrosis of the joint capsule, leading to stiffness. This is commonly known as "frozen shoulder."

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis affecting the shoulder. This typically involves findings of restricted glenohumeral motion in multiple planes, often accompanied by chronic shoulder pain. Documentation should differentiate it from other causes of shoulder stiffness or pain.

• Ensure documentation specifies "adhesive capsulitis" and not just general shoulder pain or stiffness.
• Do not confuse with other shoulder conditions like rotator cuff tears (726.1x) or impingement syndrome (726.2).
• Laterality (left, right, bilateral) is not specified in this ICD-9 code; if available, it would be captured by a more specific ICD-10 code.