Frozen shoulder is a painful condition that makes the shoulder stiff and hard to move. It often begins with mild discomfort and slowly gets worse.
Over time, simple actions like lifting your arm, reaching for something, or getting dressed can become very difficult. The condition can last for months or even years and can seriously affect daily life.
New research from Keele University in the United Kingdom has found that people with diabetes face a much higher risk of developing frozen shoulder.
The study shows that individuals with diabetes are almost four times more likely to experience this condition compared to people without diabetes. This discovery highlights another important reason why managing diabetes carefully is essential for long-term health.
The research was led by Brett Paul Dyer and aimed to better understand the connection between diabetes and frozen shoulder. Instead of relying on a single study, the team combined results from eight earlier studies to produce stronger evidence. This method allowed researchers to analyze data from thousands of participants and look for consistent patterns.
Six of the studies included a total of 5,388 people. The results showed that people with diabetes—both type 1 and type 2—were about 3.7 times more likely to develop frozen shoulder. Two additional long-term studies that followed people over time confirmed the same trend, showing that diabetes significantly increases the risk.
Although the connection appears strong, the researchers noted that some of the earlier studies had limitations.
For example, some did not clearly explain how participants were selected, and others did not fully account for other health problems that might influence the results. Even so, the overall findings still point to a clear link between diabetes and frozen shoulder.
For people living with diabetes, this information is important. It means that shoulder pain or stiffness should not be ignored. If discomfort lasts for several weeks or gradually worsens, it is wise to mention it to a doctor.
Early treatment can reduce pain and improve recovery, while delayed treatment may lead to longer healing times and greater difficulty moving the shoulder.
Doctors can also use this knowledge to improve care. Knowing that diabetes increases the risk of frozen shoulder, healthcare providers can ask patients about shoulder symptoms during routine visits. Early detection may help prevent severe stiffness and loss of movement.
Researchers are still trying to understand why diabetes raises the risk. One possible explanation is that high blood sugar levels may damage tissues and cause inflammation around the joints, making the shoulder more vulnerable. However, more studies are needed to confirm the exact cause and to explore ways to prevent the condition.
In the meantime, people with diabetes can take steps to protect their health by controlling blood sugar, staying active, attending regular check-ups, and paying attention to new symptoms. Shoulder pain may seem minor at first, but if it continues or worsens, it deserves medical attention.
The study, published in BMJ Open, adds valuable knowledge about the hidden effects of diabetes. It reminds both patients and doctors that awareness and early action can make a big difference in preventing long-term pain and disability.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about 5 vitamins that may prevent complication in diabetes, and how to manage high blood pressure and diabetes with healthy foods.
For more health information, please see recent studies about vitamin D and type2 diabetes, and to people with type 2 diabetes, some fruits are better than others.
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