Have you ever had shoulder pain so bad that it felt almost impossible to lift your arm? That might be something called a “frozen shoulder.” It’s not just sore—it gets stiff and very hard to move. And now, new research shows that people with diabetes are much more likely to experience this painful condition.
A team of scientists from Keele University in the UK, led by Brett Paul Dyer, wanted to find out if having diabetes—whether type 1 or type 2—makes someone more likely to develop frozen shoulder. Their answer? Yes, it does. According to their findings, people with diabetes are nearly four times more likely to get frozen shoulder compared to those without diabetes.
To come to this conclusion, the team looked at eight earlier studies. Six of those studies involved over 5,000 people and showed that having diabetes made it 3.69 times more likely that someone would develop frozen shoulder. The other two studies followed people over time and found the same connection.
However, the researchers also pointed out that seven of the eight studies they reviewed might have had some bias. That means the way the studies were done could have affected the results. So, while the link between diabetes and frozen shoulder looks strong, we still need to be careful and keep learning more.
Still, the message for doctors is pretty clear. If you’re treating someone with diabetes, it’s worth asking if they’ve had any shoulder pain or trouble moving their arm. Catching frozen shoulder early can make a big difference. It gives doctors a better chance to treat it quickly—before the pain and stiffness get worse.
For people living with diabetes, this is something important to know. If you notice new shoulder pain that doesn’t go away or makes it hard to move your arm, don’t ignore it. Mention it to your doctor during a check-up. Early help can prevent more pain and make recovery easier.
This study is another reminder that diabetes can affect more than just blood sugar. It can increase the risk of problems in other parts of the body, like the joints and muscles. The more we understand these links, the better we can prevent and manage these health issues.
As always, more research is needed to find out exactly why this happens and how to stop it. In the meantime, staying on top of your health, getting regular check-ups, and paying attention to your body are the best steps you can take.
The full study was published in BMJ Open.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies that pomace olive oil could help lower blood cholesterol, and honey could help control blood sugar.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that blueberries strongly benefit people with metabolic syndrome, and results showing eggs in a plant-based diet may benefit people with type 2 diabetes.
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