Can Frozen Shoulder Be Caused By Covid-19?

Aized was looking at her FB feed (pictured above) earlier this week when someone asked what else could be done for her frozen shoulder (or adhesive capsulitis). This lady was told by her doctor at Tan Tock Seng hospital that her frozen shoulder was possibly caused by her vaccination injections.

Then I recall reading a paper published last July 2021 that it may be Covid-19 that can cause frozen shoulder (rather than the vaccination injections). 

In that published paper (Ascani et al, 2021), 1120 patients were evaluated at the shoulder surgery unit. Of these, 146 were found to have frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis (AC). Of these 146 subjects, 12 had AC after contracting Covid-19, 8 female and 4 male. The patients were between 42-73 years. Frozen shoulder in the patients started 1.5 to 3 months after the Covid-19 diagnosis (mean onset was 2 months after Covid-19). 

Covid-19 symptoms were mild in 5 of the patients, were the other 7 were asymptomatic. None of the patients were severely or critically ill. 2 of the patients had diabetes that were well controlled. You can read more about that study and how the authors suggested AC can be caused by Covid-19 here.  

Can't do L hand on hip

With AC, there is pain and later lots of stiffness in the affected shoulder. First clue if you have AC, you cannot put your hands on your hips (the affected side of course, pictured above). That hand behind your back is definitely out of the question. You have difficulty bringing your arms overhead from the front and side (when your elbows are straight). The pain seems to worsen at night, disrupting sleep. Quality of life is definitely affected.

We really do not know what causes AC. Even doctors and research scientists are not sure either. However, we do know that AC afflicts women more commonly than men. Especially women above 50, more so if they are diabetic, had a prior stroke or thyroid disorders. Sometimes, it occurs after a recent shoulder surgery as well.

There seems to be some recent evidence that AC is a metabolic condition. Meaning if you're hypertensive, overweight, you drink, smoke, you have a poor diet and do little or no exercise, then you have a higher chance of getting AC.

There are usually 3 stages with AC. The first stage is the 'freezing' stage where pain is increasing with most shoulder movements. End range of motion in the shoulder starts to be limited. This stage can last from 3 to 6 months. 

The next stage is the 'frozen' stage. There usually isn't as much pain as the first stage but shoulder range is definitely more limited. Patients often complain of increasing 'stiffness' in this stage.

The last stage is known as the 'thawing' state where shoulder range starts to improve. There is usually much less pain during this stage.

AC can last between 9 to 18 months. I've seen some patients get a whole better after 6 months although it can drag for up to 24 months in other patients. 

I will write how we can help with AC in my next post. Stay tuned.

Reference 

Ascani C, Passaretti D, Scacchi M et al (2021). Can Adhesive Capsulitis Of The Shoulder Be A Consequence Of Covid-19? Case Series Of 12 Patients. 30(7): E409-413. DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2021.04.024