Can shoulder periarthritis cause numbness and pain in the arm?

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) itself does not directly cause numbness or pain in the arm. However, if it is accompanied by nerve compression—such as from cervical spondylosis—it may lead to arm numbness and pain. Specifically, frozen shoulder primarily involves chronic inflammation of tendons, bursae, and the joint capsule around the shoulder joint, causing pain and functional impairment. It generally does not directly result in arm numbness. However, if a patient with frozen shoulder also suffers from cervical spondylosis, degenerative changes in the cervical spine—such as herniated intervertebral discs—may compress nerves, leading to nerve impingement in the arm and resulting in symptoms like numbness and pain. Therefore, when patients with frozen shoulder experience arm numbness or pain, they should be alert to the possibility of coexisting conditions and seek timely medical evaluation and treatment.