Struggling with pain? Experts unveil revolutionary treatment for crippling condition
By
Gian T
- Replies 1
As time passes, our bodies may not move as quickly as they once did, with discomfort becoming a more frequent companion.
One increasingly common condition can severely limit mobility, making simple daily activities challenging or painful.
For some, even routine movements can become a struggle, affecting their quality of life.
For patients like Catherine Crouch, lifting or moving an arm backward is extremely difficult, making everyday tasks like getting dressed nearly impossible.
‘About a week and a half ago, it became what I would describe as excruciating pain, and I thought, oh, now here we go again,’ she said.
But there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon for those suffering from this condition.
Researchers are trialling a new treatment that could prevent the onset of a frozen shoulder, and it's based on a commonly used eye injection.
This innovative approach comes at a crucial time, as doctors are reporting an increase in the number of cases, particularly among women.
Frozen shoulder typically affects individuals between the ages of 40 and 60 and is characterised by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint.
The condition can last up to two years and progresses through three stages: the painful 'freezing' stage, the stiff 'frozen' stage, and the 'thawing' stage, where movement gradually returns.
Currently, treatment options are limited. Corticosteroid injections can provide some relief during the freezing stage.
However, patients often have little to no movement in the affected shoulder as the condition progresses.
Only when the shoulder begins to thaw can physiotherapy offer some help.
The pain and immobility of a frozen shoulder can be likened to the symptoms of severe arthritis.
However, as Macquarie University Associate Professor Sumit Raniga explains, 'When you examine them, you feel like they've got end-stage arthritis.
There should be no joint lining; it should be bone to bone, but it's not. The x-rays are entirely normal.'
What's particularly intriguing about this condition is the growth of new blood vessels and nerve endings in and around the shoulder capsule during the freezing phase.
This is where the new treatment comes into play.
By targeting these changes, researchers hope to block the action that leads to the development of frozen shoulder.
The drug being repurposed for this pilot trial is used safely in millions of eye injections worldwide daily.
If successful, this could mean a significant breakthrough for those at risk of frozen shoulder.
The rise in cases has been linked to diabetes, which is known to be a contributing factor.
Women with an underactive thyroid or ischemic heart disease are also at higher risk.
'Diabetes is having a great influence, and we're seeing a lot of young people turning up in our clinics with this condition,' Raniga said.
This news could be a beacon of hope for our readers who may be experiencing shoulder pain or know someone who is.
It's essential to consult with a healthcare professional if you suspect you might have a frozen shoulder, as early diagnosis and management can make a difference in the condition's progression.
We at the Seniors Discount Club are always on the lookout for advancements in treatments that can improve the quality of life for our members.
We'll keep a close eye on the results of this trial and will update you on any developments.
In other news, a study found cluster headaches to be the most excruciating, ranking above childbirth, gunshot wounds, and bone fractures.
Participants rated their pain on a scale from 0 to 10, with conditions like pancreatitis, kidney stones, and gallstones also scoring high, while heart attacks and stab wounds ranked lower than expected. You can read more about it here.
Credit: YouTube
Have you or someone you know been affected by a frozen shoulder? What treatments have you tried, and have they been effective? Share your experiences in the comments below.
One increasingly common condition can severely limit mobility, making simple daily activities challenging or painful.
For some, even routine movements can become a struggle, affecting their quality of life.
For patients like Catherine Crouch, lifting or moving an arm backward is extremely difficult, making everyday tasks like getting dressed nearly impossible.
‘About a week and a half ago, it became what I would describe as excruciating pain, and I thought, oh, now here we go again,’ she said.
But there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon for those suffering from this condition.
Researchers are trialling a new treatment that could prevent the onset of a frozen shoulder, and it's based on a commonly used eye injection.
This innovative approach comes at a crucial time, as doctors are reporting an increase in the number of cases, particularly among women.
Frozen shoulder typically affects individuals between the ages of 40 and 60 and is characterised by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint.
The condition can last up to two years and progresses through three stages: the painful 'freezing' stage, the stiff 'frozen' stage, and the 'thawing' stage, where movement gradually returns.
Currently, treatment options are limited. Corticosteroid injections can provide some relief during the freezing stage.
However, patients often have little to no movement in the affected shoulder as the condition progresses.
Only when the shoulder begins to thaw can physiotherapy offer some help.
The pain and immobility of a frozen shoulder can be likened to the symptoms of severe arthritis.
However, as Macquarie University Associate Professor Sumit Raniga explains, 'When you examine them, you feel like they've got end-stage arthritis.
There should be no joint lining; it should be bone to bone, but it's not. The x-rays are entirely normal.'
What's particularly intriguing about this condition is the growth of new blood vessels and nerve endings in and around the shoulder capsule during the freezing phase.
This is where the new treatment comes into play.
By targeting these changes, researchers hope to block the action that leads to the development of frozen shoulder.
The drug being repurposed for this pilot trial is used safely in millions of eye injections worldwide daily.
If successful, this could mean a significant breakthrough for those at risk of frozen shoulder.
The rise in cases has been linked to diabetes, which is known to be a contributing factor.
Women with an underactive thyroid or ischemic heart disease are also at higher risk.
'Diabetes is having a great influence, and we're seeing a lot of young people turning up in our clinics with this condition,' Raniga said.
This news could be a beacon of hope for our readers who may be experiencing shoulder pain or know someone who is.
It's essential to consult with a healthcare professional if you suspect you might have a frozen shoulder, as early diagnosis and management can make a difference in the condition's progression.
We at the Seniors Discount Club are always on the lookout for advancements in treatments that can improve the quality of life for our members.
We'll keep a close eye on the results of this trial and will update you on any developments.
In other news, a study found cluster headaches to be the most excruciating, ranking above childbirth, gunshot wounds, and bone fractures.
Participants rated their pain on a scale from 0 to 10, with conditions like pancreatitis, kidney stones, and gallstones also scoring high, while heart attacks and stab wounds ranked lower than expected. You can read more about it here.
Credit: YouTube
Key Takeaways
- Experts are trialling a new treatment for frozen shoulder, a condition that causes excruciating pain and limited mobility.
- The debilitating condition, medically known as adhesive capsulitis, primarily affects women and can last up to two years.
- The trial involves repurposing a commonly used eye injection that targets new blood vessels and nerve growth associated with the condition.
- There has been an observed increase in the number of frozen shoulder cases, particularly among people with diabetes, those with an underactive thyroid, or those with ischaemic heart disease.