A major problem for sufferers of diabetes is a Diabetic frozen shoulder, this is a commonly diagnosed problem and should be investigated if symptons are suspected. The pain and limited function that are caused by it can seriously impact the normal activities of day-to-day life of the diabetic. Diabetes can affect the muscles and joints in many ways. In the cells sugar sticks to the collagen and affects its ability to function. Diabetes can damage blood vessels that may result in poor blood supply and circulation. Due to the decreased supply of blood, the body’s elastic tissues can be damaged.

Taking a closer look at a diabetic frozen shoulder, you’ll likely find that the diabetic patients have calcium spots in the tendons and muscle around the shoulder - again this probably relates to the fact that high blood sugars can impair blood flow through small vessels. Tendons are particularly vulnerable to this calcium build-up. Due to these calcium deposits severe discomfort or limited movement is often caused but sometimes it can be painless. These calcium spots can usually be seen on x-rays.

Another thing common in Frozen Shoulder among diabetic patients is slow healing and impaired nerve function that contributes to the fact that the frozen shoulder pain takes longer to settle than it does in other, non diabetic patients. Frozen shoulder is not seen as often in the general population compared to diabetic patients.

Normal diabetics are less likely to have frozen shoulder problems, however, insulin dependant diabetics are particularly at risk - in fact they are six times more likely to develop diabetic frozen shoulder than the rest of the population. In the recent years there has been a lot of research into the frozen shoulder - diabetes link but it the causes and treatments are still rather unclear and further research is urgently needed in order to help people with this condition.

Diabetic frozen shoulder eventually resolves itself in most cases but major problems can be caused by not following the doctors’ instructions and or prescribed medicine.

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