Diabetics more prone to frozen shoulder: Experts

Tribune News Service

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Ludhiana, April 15

Persons suffering from diabetes are at an increased risk of various bone and joint disorders. Diabetes may affect fingers, hands, wrists, shoulders, neck, spine or feet. Diabetes is associated with a condition called ‘frozen shoulder,’ in which the person suffers from severe shoulder pain and stiffness. Prevalence of frozen shoulder is two to four times higher among diabetics. Women are more likely to develop frozen shoulder than men and it occurs most frequently in people between the ages of 40 and 60.

Dr Harpreet Singh Gill, senior consultant and co-ordinator, department of orthopaedics, SPS Hospitals, said excess glucose impacts the collagen in the shoulder. When sugar molecules attach to the collagen, it can make the collagen sticky and leads to thickening and tightening of shoulder tissues.

Another city-based orthopedician said usually it is self-limiting condition and resolves in 12 to 18 months. The goal of treatment is to shorten the natural length of the condition and to reduce pain and preserve mobility and flexibility in the shoulder.

Advising further Dr Bali, another city based specialist said person suffering from the disorder should sleep with two pillows, specific stretching as advised for between 10 and 20 times, depending on the comfort level of the patient suffering from frozen shoulder.