Type 2 Diabetes - Frozen Shoulder and Diabetes
We all experience more aches and pains as we get older compared to when we were younger.
Some of these aches and pains can easily be chalked up to age while others might be a sign of a deeper issue.
One of the most common complaints is joint pain and one of the most common areas where this can occur is in the shoulder.
It's medical name is adhesive capsulitis, but in layman's terms it is simply referred to as frozen shoulder.
While it can affect literally anyone at any age, it is 4 times as likely to strike people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes as compared to non-diabetics.
Frozen shoulder occurs when the collection of connective tissue surrounding the shoulder thickens and begins to tighten.
This then prohibits movement and results in the shoulder appearing to be "frozen" from conducting free movement as it should.
Although doctors are not completely sure why the condition affects some people more than others, they do know diabetics are more prone to the condition.
Experts believe shoulder joints, like other joints in the body, are greatly affected by increased blood sugar levels and it causes the natural lubrication of the joint to become damaged.
The result is a joint that does not move as freely...
and then pain is created.
There are three phases of frozen shoulder syndrome: The first phase is by far the most painful.
Being newly diagnosed, the pain can be quite severe depending on the level of movement the individual is applying to the shoulder.
This pain can last for up to 4 to 6 months and can interrupt your day and especially your sleeping.
The second phase is called the frozen stage.
This is when the individual begins to notice the level of shoulder pain is diminishing.
The shoulder will still be sore and stiff, to an extent, but it will show improvement from the painful stage.
This particular stage can last up to a year.
The final stage is the thawing stage.
Lasting up to a year, this final stage is when the shoulder continues to loosen up and eventually the pain will disappear.
Unfortunately, there is no immediate cure for frozen shoulder.
As you can see, it could take up to 2 1/2 to 3 years from the initial onset before the shoulder returns to normal.
Although no form of treatment will accelerate the recovery, your doctor might administer cortisone injections or prescribe physical therapy to ease the discomfort.
Some of these aches and pains can easily be chalked up to age while others might be a sign of a deeper issue.
One of the most common complaints is joint pain and one of the most common areas where this can occur is in the shoulder.
It's medical name is adhesive capsulitis, but in layman's terms it is simply referred to as frozen shoulder.
While it can affect literally anyone at any age, it is 4 times as likely to strike people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes as compared to non-diabetics.
Frozen shoulder occurs when the collection of connective tissue surrounding the shoulder thickens and begins to tighten.
This then prohibits movement and results in the shoulder appearing to be "frozen" from conducting free movement as it should.
Although doctors are not completely sure why the condition affects some people more than others, they do know diabetics are more prone to the condition.
Experts believe shoulder joints, like other joints in the body, are greatly affected by increased blood sugar levels and it causes the natural lubrication of the joint to become damaged.
The result is a joint that does not move as freely...
and then pain is created.
There are three phases of frozen shoulder syndrome: The first phase is by far the most painful.
Being newly diagnosed, the pain can be quite severe depending on the level of movement the individual is applying to the shoulder.
This pain can last for up to 4 to 6 months and can interrupt your day and especially your sleeping.
The second phase is called the frozen stage.
This is when the individual begins to notice the level of shoulder pain is diminishing.
The shoulder will still be sore and stiff, to an extent, but it will show improvement from the painful stage.
This particular stage can last up to a year.
The final stage is the thawing stage.
Lasting up to a year, this final stage is when the shoulder continues to loosen up and eventually the pain will disappear.
Unfortunately, there is no immediate cure for frozen shoulder.
As you can see, it could take up to 2 1/2 to 3 years from the initial onset before the shoulder returns to normal.
Although no form of treatment will accelerate the recovery, your doctor might administer cortisone injections or prescribe physical therapy to ease the discomfort.
