Language
Country/Area
No result found
The mysterious cause of frozen shoulder: Why are some people more susceptible to the disease?
Frozen shoulder (also known as adhesive capsulitis) is a common shoulder disease characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulder. Patients often experience limited movement of the shoulder joint, especially during external rotation. Although the shoulder itself generally does not experience severe pain when touched, frozen shoulder is accompanied by significant movement impairment, which often worsens gradually. Patients often face a lot of confusion when it comes to treating this disease, including what exactly causes it and why some people are more susceptible to it than others.
Symptoms of frozen shoulder include shoulder pain and limited range of motion, but these symptoms are also common in many other shoulder conditions.
The epidemiology of frozen shoulder
According to the latest research, the incidence of frozen shoulder is estimated at 2% to 5% in the general population. The condition is more common in people aged 40 to 60 years and affects up to 70% of women. People with diabetes are five times more likely to develop frozen shoulder than other medical conditions, leading to greater research into the causes and risk factors.
Symptoms and stages of frozen shoulder
Symptoms of frozen shoulder usually go through three stages - "freeze phase," "frozen state," and "thaw phase." At each stage, patients' feelings and symptoms will vary:
- Freezing Phase: This phase may last from 6 weeks to 9 months, and the patient experiences increasing pain and a gradual decrease in shoulder mobility.
- Frozen State: During this stage the pain is somewhat relieved, but the stiffness in the shoulder remains, usually lasting 4 to 12 months.
- Thaw period: Shoulder mobility slowly returns, lasting 5 to 26 months.
Causes of frozen shoulder
While the underlying cause of frozen shoulder is not completely understood, research has revealed some factors associated with an increased risk of the condition. Diabetes, thyroid disease, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune diseases are all known risk factors. In particular, studies have shown that people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes have a significantly increased chance of developing frozen shoulder.
Diagnosis and examination
Professional doctors usually diagnose frozen shoulder based on a medical history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as MRI and ultrasound, although not necessary for diagnosis, can help rule out other causes of pain. At the time of diagnosis, if the range of active and passive movements is similar, frozen shoulder may be confirmed.
Treatment options
For the treatment of frozen shoulder, most experts recommend non-surgical treatment first, including physical therapy and medication. Although many treatments have varying effects, clinical experience shows that multimodal combinations may achieve better results. Physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, local steroid injections, etc. can all be used to relieve pain and increase range of motion.
Research has shown that the use of ultrasound and MRI in unusual circumstances can assist in diagnosis and help improve the range of shoulder movement.
Surgical considerations
If a patient's symptoms do not improve despite suspected conservative treatment, surgical intervention may be considered. The most common procedure is intra-articular adhesion removal, usually done arthroscopically. This minimally invasive surgery is designed to restore mobility by removing diseased tissue through small incisions and reducing tightness in the shoulder joint.
Prognosis and impact
Most cases of frozen shoulder resolve on their own over time, but it may take 1 to 3 years. Examination studies have found that 20% to 50% of patients may experience ongoing problems with pain and limited mobility, raising the need for more in-depth research into the condition.
Frozen shoulder is a challenging health problem not only because of its pain and mobility limitations, but also because it is not fully understood which groups are at greater risk. Therefore, whether understanding the risk factors and causes of frozen shoulder can help us reduce the occurrence of this disease has become a topic of continued exploration in the academic community.
