People with Diabetes May Develop Frozen Shoulder Due to High Blood Sugar Levels; Learn How

Frozen shoulder, otherwise referred to as adhesive capsulitis, manifests as a profoundly discomforting ailment inducing pain and rigidity within the shoulder joint. Despite its gradual onset, its manifestations exacerbate progressively.

Per medical experts, frozen shoulder among diabetic individuals ensues when the connective tissue encasing the shoulder joint undergoes inflammation and stiffening. The designation “frozen” shoulder arises from the concomitant increase in pain, inversely proportional to the mobility of the shoulder. Consequently, disuse precipitates a constricting effect on the entire region, rendering it immobile.

Although numerous factors contribute to its occurrence, studies suggest a predilection for frozen shoulders among women afflicted with diabetes. Furthermore, while the prevalence of frozen shoulder stands at a mere 2 percent within the general populace, it escalates to 10–30 percent among those with elevated blood glucose levels.

What makes individuals with diabetes more susceptible to frozen shoulders? Research indicates that the alteration in collagen’s consistency—a pivotal protein constituting connective tissue—renders it adhesive due to the presence of elevated sugar molecules binding to it.

Collagen serves as the primary constituent in tendons and ligaments, facilitating the interconnection between muscles, bones, and joints. Consequently, modifications to collagen impede arm mobility as glucose molecules adhere to protein molecules, initiating the process of glycosylation.

According to various research endeavors, diabetic individuals are doubly predisposed to developing frozen shoulders compared to their non-diabetic counterparts, irrespective of other underlying health conditions.

What transpires during the progression of a frozen shoulder? Medical professionals delineate three stages:

1. The freezing stage: Characterized by stiffness and discomfort upon movement, which gradually extends throughout the arm and intensifies during nocturnal hours. This phase spans from six weeks to nine months.
2. The frozen stage: Despite a potential reduction in pain, the shoulder retains its stiffness, impeding the completion of routine tasks. This phase persists for two to six months.
3. The recovery stage: Marked by a diminishment in pain and a gradual restoration of shoulder mobility. Typically, complete or near-complete recovery transpires as strength and range of motion are reinstated. This phase spans from six months to two years.

Optimal strategies for addressing frozen shoulder encompass a multifaceted approach:

• Pain management techniques are initially employed until the acute phase subsides. Should mobility fail to spontaneously recover, therapeutic interventions or surgical procedures may be warranted. Additionally, stringent control of blood glucose levels is imperative for diabetic individuals.
• Conservative treatments for adhesive capsulitis encompass the application of hot and cold compresses to alleviate pain and swelling, alongside the administration of analgesic medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
• Physical therapy interventions, guided by a skilled therapist, entail stretching exercises and range-of-motion maneuvers aimed at enhancing shoulder mobility.
• Shoulder arthroscopy, a surgical intervention, entails the precise incision of constricted segments within the joint capsule to alleviate stiffness and restore mobility.