Unraveling the mystical connection between diabetes and frozen shoulder
According to the international diabetes federation (IDF), 10.5% of the world’s adult population (aged 20–79) has diabetes, and half of that is unaware of their condition. IDF database shows that about 537 million people are currently living with diabetes, and this number is expected to rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045.
These were some facts and figures about diabetes. But the topic here is the connection between diabetes and frozen shoulder also known as adhesive capsulitis.
Is there any connection? Is it a myth? How does diabetes cause frozen shoulder? Can controlled diabetes cause frozen shoulder? Can controlling diabetes effectively reverse the frozen shoulder?
These are a few questions I will be answering in this blog.
Is the connection between diabetes and frozen shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) a myth?
The answer is NO!
It is not a myth. According to numerous studies, people with diabetes are 3–4 times more likely to develop frozen shoulder. In my clinical practice, 80% of the patients who present to me with frozen shoulder have diabetes. According to my assessment and clinical reasoning, the reason for developing frozen shoulder is uncontrolled diabetes. If your sugar level is under control, your chances of developing frozen shoulder decrease dramatically.
How does diabetes cause frozen shoulder?
To be honest! No one knows.
Yes, you heard it right. Despite the advancements in medicine and technology, the mechanism of the development of the frozen shoulder is still a mystery. Everyone knows that it starts with the inflammation of the joint capsule, it follows a specific capsular pattern, and that adhesions form within the joint, thus restricting its mobility, but no one knows the reason, why all of this happens, and why does it happen most often in diabetic patients.
It does not mean that non-diabetics do not develop frozen shoulder. It is the odds of frozen shoulder that are higher in diabetics than in non-diabetics. Let’s look at it in another way. If the odds of developing frozen shoulder in diabetics are four times that of non-diabetics, in a population of 100 patients with frozen shoulder, 80 will have diabetes, and 20 will be non-diabetics.
Can controlled diabetes cause frozen shoulder?
Yes!
Diabetics whose sugar is under control sometimes develop frozen shoulder. Even if the patients with controlled diabetes might develop frozen shoulder, the odds of having frozen shoulder decrease exponentially.
Can controlling diabetes effectively reverse the frozen shoulder?
No evidence in medical literature proves or argues for the reversal of frozen shoulder once developed by effectively managing blood sugar levels. However, it can prevent further episodes of frozen shoulder and reduce the severity of frozen shoulder and the time to recovery.
Conclusion
Once developed, frozen shoulder takes its time to go away. But for a faster and complete recovery, you must visit a physical therapist. Physical therapists are trained in managing these types of conditions. They can help you relieve shoulder pain and increase your mobility. It will help you recover faster and achieve your complete shoulder mobility.
