A new UK study has revealed that Diabetes Type 1 can lead to musculoskeletal issues such as frozen shoulder. The research was presented at the 2021 Diabetes UK Professional Conference.

Here, we will look at what the study found and the link between diabetes and frozen shoulder.

Understanding the study

Researchers from the University of Exeter, analysed health and genetic data from the UK Biobank and FinnGen. They were looking to see if patients with Diabetes Type 1 were more likely to develop other conditions. When a link between diabetes and frozen shoulder was found, the team used the Mendelian randomisation technique to establish whether it was a casual or serious link.

It was revealed that Diabetes Type 1 can directly increase the risk of four conditions. These include frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren’s Contracture, and trigger finger. Each of these musculoskeletal conditions are characterised by reduced mobility in the hand, shoulder, fingers, or wrist. They also cause a lot of pain to patients.

It is thought that prolonged high blood pressure caused by Diabetes Type 1 is to blame for the increased risk of musculoskeletal issues. The hope is that now healthcare professionals can recognise these four conditions as chronic complications of Diabetes. This will ultimately help to diagnose and treat the conditions quickly, improving patient outcomes.

What is frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is a condition which causes the shoulder to become painful and stiff. It can last for months, or even years in some cases. It is typically a self-limiting condition which means that it resolves on its own and should have no long-term harmful effect on a person’s health. However, there are treatments available which can help ease the pain and improve mobility.

Frozen shoulder occurs when the tissues around the joint of the shoulder become inflamed. Due to the inflammation, the tissue starts to tighten and shrink, leading to pain and discomfort.

Most people develop a frozen shoulder due to a surgery or injury which prevents the arm from moving normally. As the new study confirms, diabetes can also be a factor.

How is frozen shoulder treated?

While a frozen shoulder does tend to clear up by itself, there are treatment options available which are aimed at controlling pain and increasing mobility of the shoulder joint. Pain relief medication, steroid injections, and physiotherapy are all effective treatment options.

Many patients find a combination of pain relief and physiotherapy works best. The treatment you receive will depend upon how stiff and painful the shoulder is. The goal of physiotherapy is to improve the motion in the shoulder. It will also help to build up strength in the area, helping to reduce the pain. If non-operative measures fail to improve the symptoms, then arthroscopic release of the shoulder capsule and manipulation of the shoulder joint, performed under a general anaesthetic, could be advised.

If you are concerned you might be suffering from a frozen shoulder, call 0203 195 2442 to book a consultation today. There are many potential causes of shoulder pain and stiffness. Therefore, the exact cause will need to be diagnosed before treatment can begin.

Frozen shoulder is a common condition that can cause significant pain within the shoulder. It tends to clear up by itself over a period of time, though it may take up to a year for it to fully recover.

To speed up recovery and ease the symptoms caused by the condition, there are several things you can do. Below, we will look at what frozen shoulder is and how it can be treated.

What is frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is a condition that causes a gradual loss of movement within the shoulder joint. It is mostly caused by inflammation of the tissues of the joint. When inflammation occurs, scarring begins to develop, referred to as adhesions. These adhesions can cause issues with movement of the joint.

The exact cause of frozen shoulder isn’t known. However, it can occur after the shoulder has been immobilised for long periods of time, or due to conditions such as Bursitis.

There are a lot of shoulder conditions a patient can suffer with. Therefore, you should always seek a diagnosis to ensure you are dealing with frozen shoulder and nothing more serious.

Steroid injections prove most effective in recent study

The recent study, published by JAMA Network Open in December 2020, analysed 65 studies. Over 4,000 participants were assessed to see which treatments proved the most effective. It was revealed that steroid injections were the most effective at reducing inflammation.

The treatment was shown to lead to the fastest recovery, and it helped to eliminate or significantly reduce pain. Steroid injections are often used in the treatment of frozen shoulder, but researchers suggest they should now be used as a first line of therapy. They also state that the injections should be provided alongside an at-home exercise program.

Physical therapy for releasing frozen shoulder

Physical therapy is an essential part of frozen shoulder recovery. Through specialist exercises, you will start to regain the strength and movement back within the shoulder.

First, the current movement of the shoulder will be assessed. Then, you will be provided with a range of exercises to help improve the range of movement. These include strength and stretching exercises. You will also be given posture and pain relief advice.

The number of treatments you need will depend upon a variety of factors. Your physiotherapist will tell you how long the therapy will need to continue.

Anti-inflammatory medications to treat frozen shoulder

Alongside steroid injections, anti-inflammatory medications can also be provided. These include Ibuprofen and Aspirin. Your London Shoulder Specialist may also prescribe pain medication to help with sleep and pain reduction.

Frozen shoulder can be a very painful and limiting condition. However, it will tend to clear up by itself within a year. In the meantime, treatments such as steroid injections can help in releasing frozen shoulder, reducing pain and improving movement within the joint.

Shoulder fractures are common, and they often require a long recovery period. However, actual recovery time and treatment options are determined by the type of fracture that has occurred.

There are different types of fractures a patient can experience. Here, we will look at the common types of shoulder fractures and the treatment options available.

What are the common types of shoulder fractures?

The shoulder has three main bones which can suffer a fracture. These include the clavicle (collarbone), scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone). While fractures to each of these bones produces the same type of symptoms, there are some differences between them.

Clavicle fractures mostly tend to occur after a fall, accident or direct hit. The severity of the fracture is measured in Groups I, II, and III. Patients will usually have some trouble lifting the arm with this type of fracture.

Scapula fractures are the least common type and they mostly occur in men aged 25 to 45. They are mostly caused by a direct hit to the area either through playing sports or after suffering a car accident. Patients with this type of fracture will typically also have suffered additional damage such as rib fractures or nerve injuries.

Fractures which affect the humerus bone are commonly referred to as proximal humerus fractures. They affect the top of the bone and can develop at any age. However, older people and those suffering from osteoporosis are at an increased risk. There are other types of fractures that can affect the humerus bone, but they don’t tend to affect the shoulder as much as a proximal humerus fracture.

These are the three different types of fractures patients can develop. The question is, if you do suffer with a shoulder fracture, what treatment options do you have?

Understanding your shoulder fracture treatment options

The type of treatment required to correct a fracture will depend upon several factors. The type and severity of the fracture will ultimately determine the best course of treatment.

With a clavicle fracture, most do tend to heal without the need for surgery. However, if the fracture is fragmented or severely displaced, surgery may be required. Non-surgical treatment of this kind of fracture includes painkillers, a polysling, and physiotherapy.

Proximal humerus fractures may or may not require surgery. If they don’t, a cuff sling and collar will need to be worn for up to six weeks. Strength in the arm will gradually return after three months. There is also the possibility that compared to the uninjured shoulder, it will always feel stiffer. If surgery is required, there are a couple of techniques that may be used. Your surgeon will talk through your options with you during the consultation.

If you suspect you have a fractured shoulder, seeking treatment as quickly as possible is recommended. Living with a fracture can be painful and limit your daily activities. Call 0203 195 2442 to book a consultation now to diagnose and identify the best course of treatment for your fracture.

A new study has revealed that most shoulder replacements last more than a decade. It was carried out by the National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula, and the University of Exeter. Known to be the largest study of its kind, it provides reassurance to patients and surgeons alike.

Here, we’ll look at what the new study revealed and what it means for shoulder replacement patients.

Understanding the new shoulder replacements study

The new study is known to be the largest of its kind, analysing data from almost 18,000 people who had undergone a shoulder replacement. The results of the study were published in The Lancet Rheumatology.

It was discovered that 90% of shoulder replacements were still working well 10 years on. Patients still believed that the surgery had benefitted their lives. It is the first study to simply answer how long shoulder replacements last and will the surgery provide long-term benefits.

Other recent studies have highlighted the benefits of shoulder replacement surgery for younger patients. Due to how long the results of the procedure last, it can particularly be highly beneficial for young athletes.

What is a shoulder replacement?

A shoulder replacement aims to replace all, or part of the shoulder joint with artificial components. There are different types of shoulder replacement surgeries including reverse, total and partial replacements.

In a reverse replacement procedure, it switches the position of the ball and socket. A metal ball is secured to the shoulder blade in place of the previous socket. A new socket is then secured to the top of the arm where the ball used to be. They both feature a stem which is cemented to the bone.

A total shoulder replacement, a new ball and socket are also inserted. However, they are placed in the same position as the old ball and socket. This helps to maintain the original structure of the shoulder.

Finally, a partial replacement simply replaces the ball of the joint. This will move naturally within the socket.

The type of shoulder replacement you need will depend upon the severity of the degeneration of the joint. There are also risks and complications of each procedure that the surgeon will go through with you during the consultation.

Are there alternatives to surgery?

There are some alternatives to surgery. Shoulder replacements are typically considered as a last resort. In some cases, physiotherapy, steroid joint injections and non-steroid anti-inflammatory medications may be effective. Keyhole surgery is also another alternative that may be suitable to some patients.

So, patients do have several options when treating degeneration of the joint. However, in terms of long-term success, shoulder replacements do show excellent results. The findings of this new study reassure surgeons of its effectiveness when used in patient treatment plans.

New meta-analysis has revealed that combined corticosteroid and exercise are successful at treating frozen shoulder. The study, published within the JAMA Network Open journal, identified the combined treatment as being most effective in patients who had experienced frozen shoulder for one year or less.

Here, we’ll look at what the study found and the different treatments currently available for Frozen Shoulder.

Understanding the study

The new study involved carrying out meta-analysis and a systematic review of online databases in February 2020. It included studies which had been done to compare treatment modalities. There were 65 studies including 4097 patients involved in the analysis.

To ease pain in the short-term, it was discovered intra-articular (IA) corticosteroid was superior compared to other interventions. In the mid-term, adding a home exercise program alongside IA corticosteroid, physiotherapy and gentle stretches also provided added benefits.

The findings suggest that patients who undergo early IA corticosteroid and exercise programs can achieve better outcomes. Provided they have only experienced Frozen Shoulder for one year or less, this combined treatment could be most effective.

What is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is medically referred to as adhesive capsulitis. The condition presents pain and stiffness within the shoulder joint. The symptoms tend to worsen as time goes on, before resolving within one to three years.

The good news is, once a frozen shoulder has healed, it is uncommon for it to recur in the same shoulder. It may, however, occur in the other shoulder in some patients. It is unknown what causes the condition, though it is known to be associated with diabetes and long periods of immobilisation.

What current frozen shoulder treatments are available?

There are a number of frozen shoulder treatments currently available. The latest study could help specialists identify the best course of treatment for those experiencing the early stages of frozen shoulder. Other treatment options available include physiotherapy, medications, home care options and surgery.

With physiotherapy, the goal is to stretch out the shoulder joint in order to gain more motion. It can take up to nine months to see significant progress, depending upon the severity of the condition.

Surgery tends to only be carried out on patients with severe symptoms. If physiotherapy hasn’t worked, surgery may be the only option to help patients eliminate the pain and regain motion. However, there are risks to surgery which will need to be considered and discussed with your surgeon. To discuss the condition in more depth, call 203 195 2442 to arrange your consultation with one of our surgeons at our London shoulder clinic.