The masterclass by Filip Struyf, a physiotherapist and professor at the University of Antwerp, discusses the complex condition of frozen shoulder. Struyf explains that while the definition and understanding of frozen shoulder have evolved, it remains challenging to treat, define, and explain. He covers topics such as the epidemiology, phases, risk factors, and pathophysiology of frozen shoulder. The condition is characterized by painful and limited shoulder movement due to a combination of environmental, somatic, psychological, and social factors. Struyf emphasizes the profound impact of frozen shoulder on patients’ lives, affecting their work, sleep, and mental health, and criticizes the tendency of healthcare professionals to underestimate the condition’s consequences.

In the second part of the masterclass, Struyf discusses the diagnosis and management of frozen shoulder, highlighting the importance of a correct diagnosis to avoid unnecessary investigations and treatment delays. He explains the typical patient profile, risk factors, and phases of the condition, noting that recovery is often incomplete, with only 40% of patients fully recovering. Struyf stresses the role of physiotherapy in providing education, symptom reduction, and rehabilitation exercises, as well as the importance of understanding patients’ experiences to form a strong therapeutic alliance. Various interventions, including general exercises, passive mobilizations, and active shoulder exercises, are discussed, with an emphasis on tailoring treatments to individual patients’ needs and ensuring consistency among caregivers’ advice.

Filip Struyf is a (sports-) physiotherapist and professor at the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy at the University of Antwerp, Belgium. At the University, he coordinates research within the field of musculoskeletal disorders, more specifically in shoulder disorders. Filip is vice-president of the educational comity at his department, editor of the Dutch/Flemish Journal of Sports Medicine, and co-founder and board member of the Flemish Shoulder Network. He has published over 70 PubMed-cited articles and teaches courses on shoulder assessment and rehabilitation at both national and international levels. Finally, Filip combines his academic work with the assessment and treatment of patients with shoulder pain in private clinical practice.