Diabetic Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful and limiting condition that affects the shoulder joint, making it difficult to move the arm. It tends to occur more frequently in peoples with diabetes. The condition starts gradually, with shoulder pain and stiffness that can last for months or even years. For patients with diabetes, it’s crucial to understand the connection between diabetes and frozen shoulder, take precautions, and follow the right treatment plan.
Dr. Vishal Sahni, a leading Orthopedic Surgeon with 24 years of experience in London and India, offers expert frozen shoulder treatment at the Direct London Orthopedic Clinic, Nagpur.
Connection Between Diabetes and Frozen Shoulder
People with diabetes are more likely to develop frozen shoulder than those without the condition. The exact cause isn’t clear, but it is believed that high blood sugar levels damage the connective tissues around the shoulder joint. These tissues can thicken, causing stiffness and pain. Additionally, long-term diabetes can reduce blood circulation, which may weaken the shoulder, increasing the risk of shoulder dislocation or even shoulder fracture.
For diabetics, it is vital to manage blood sugar levels to reduce the risk of joint problems, including frozen shoulder.
Precautions for Diabetics to Prevent Frozen Shoulder
If you have diabetes, there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of developing frozen shoulder. Here are some precautions:
1. Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels: Keeping blood sugar levels under control can help prevent complications like frozen shoulder. Regular monitoring and taking your prescribed medication are essential.
2. Stay Active: Perform daily shoulder exercises to keep the shoulder joint flexible. Regular stretching and gentle exercises are effective in preventing stiffness.
3. Avoid Injuries: Shoulder dislocations and shoulder fractures can worsen frozen shoulder. Take extra care when engaging in physical activities and avoid putting unnecessary strain on your shoulder joint.
4. Consult an Ortho Doctor: If you experience shoulder pain, don’t ignore it. Early consultation with an orthopedic surgeon can help prevent the condition from getting worse.
Stages of Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder develops in three stages. Recognizing these stages will help in seeking the appropriate treatment at the right time.
1. Freezing Stage: This is the first stage of frozen shoulder. In this stage, shoulder movement becomes painful, and your range of motion decreases. You might struggle to lift your arm or move your shoulder with ease. This stage usually lasts for 6 weeks to 9 months. Pain is often worse at night, and daily activities may become difficult.
2. Frozen Stage: In the frozen stage, pain might decrease, but the stiffness remains. The shoulder becomes more difficult to move, and daily activities such as dressing, driving, or lifting objects become more challenging. This phase may persist for 4 to 12 months.
3. Thawing Stage: In this final stage, shoulder movement starts to improve, and stiffness gradually reduces. Although recovery is slow, you will notice a gradual return of shoulder mobility. The final stage could take between 6 months to 2 years to fully resolve.
Frozen Shoulder Treatment Options
Treating frozen shoulder involves reducing pain, improving shoulder movement, and restoring normal function. Depending on the severity of the condition, various treatments can be considered.
1. Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is one of the most effective frozen shoulder treatments. A trained therapist will guide you through specific exercises designed to stretch the shoulder joint and improve mobility. The exercises may be uncomfortable initially, but regular practice will help in restoring movement over time.
2. Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, can help reduce pain and swelling. In some cases, doctors might recommend stronger painkillers to ease discomfort.
3. Steroid Injections: Corticosteroid injections can help reduce inflammation in the shoulder joint. These injections provide temporary relief and make it easier to perform physical therapy exercises.
4. Shoulder Manipulation: In cases where the pain and stiffness do not improve, a shoulder surgeon might recommend manipulation under anesthesia. This procedure involves moving the shoulder joint while the patient is asleep to loosen the stiff tissues.
5. Surgery: If other treatments fail to improve mobility, surgery might be necessary. An orthopedic surgeon may perform an arthroscopic procedure to release the tight shoulder capsule. Dr. Vishal Sahni, with his extensive experience, is skilled in performing such advanced shoulder surgeries.
Rehabilitation After Frozen Shoulder Treatment
Recovery from frozen shoulder doesn’t end with treatment; proper rehabilitation is essential to regain full shoulder function. Here are some key steps in the rehabilitation process:
1. Start with Gentle Exercises: After treatment, it is important to start with gentle exercises to slowly increase the range of motion. A physical therapist will provide a set of exercises, like pendulum swings and passive stretches, to help the shoulder regain mobility.
2. Strengthening Exercises: Once the shoulder starts to recover, strengthening exercises should be introduced to rebuild muscle around the joint. This helps protect the shoulder from future injuries like shoulder dislocations or shoulder fractures.
3. Follow-Up with Orthopedic Surgeon: Regular follow-up visits with your orthopedic surgeon or ortho doctor are necessary to ensure the shoulder is healing correctly. Dr. Vishal Sahni emphasizes personalized follow-up care to track patient recovery and prevent complications.
4. Be Patient: Recovery from frozen shoulder takes time. Even after successful treatment, full recovery can take months. It’s important to stay consistent with therapy and exercises.
Frozen shoulder, especially in diabetic patients, can be painful and disabling. However, with the right care and treatment, the condition is manageable. Maintaining good blood sugar control, following a treatment plan, and undergoing physical therapy are key to recovery. If you are suffering from frozen shoulder, seeking professional advice from experts like Dr. Vishal Sahni, who has vast experience in both India and London, is essential for getting the right treatment. Whether it’s frozen shoulder treatment, managing shoulder dislocation, or addressing shoulder fractures, his expertise can guide you to a faster recovery.
Visit one of the leading orthopedic hospitals —Max Hospital, Kingsway Hospital, Shrikrishna Hrudalaya, Arihant Hospital or Neurospine Hospital—for a consultation with Dr. Vishal Sahni and start your journey to recovery today.
Whatsapp: +91 95295 52938
Address: Ground Floor, Berar House, Mehadia Square, Dhantoli, Nagpur, Maharashtra 440012, India