Struggling with pain? Experts unveil revolutionary treatment for crippling condition

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.


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A new treatment for frozen shoulder is being trialled to ease pain and improve mobility. Credit: YouTube


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.
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.
 

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I have had 2 shoulder reconstructions, and it was a disaster. The second surgery was a total replacement. Post operative pain was nothing like I have ever experienced. The pain relief medication was a joke. It didn’t help at all, and I cried non stop for days. I discharged myself after 2 days, and went to my G.P. for pain management. The prosthesis used, was the wrong, for my height was. There’s no way I trust anyone to try to fix it, because I know how inadequate the pain relief is. I would say no, to anyone considering shoulder reconstruction, try physih
 
I had shoulder bursitis/frozen shoulder, drs called it both names. Had cortisone which helped slightly, 2 months later specialist advice I had another cortisone and saline injection. Gradually each day I feel it is getting better so happy I had it twice. specialist said if it doesn't work will need an operation to free it or wait 18 months for it to get better. As I said I feel better with it every day.
 
When I had the cortisone injection for my shoulder pain I was told not to do any lifting, no vacuuming, no back and forth movement with that shoulder for ten days. Also to expect some pain until things sorted themselves out--torn ligament/swollen and inflamed bursa. From that injection all pain stopped.

There are twinges now and then but all in all, it did the trick, same with my knee after having cortisone injection. Guess I'm one of the lucky ones in that condition.

The worst pain? Nerve pain. When I had a laminectomy the dura that protects the spinal cord got torn, of course it was stitched up. After the anaesthetics wore off any movement of my left leg had my scream out in agony -- the stitches were rubbing on the nerve with any movement.
 
I had frozen shoulder a few times. usually got a cortison injection, sometimes even under imaging supervision, but didnt help. Was told not to move or told nothing. Finally I ended up with an old, experienced doctor who used to treat sports teams. He explained to me that there is only one point for the injection, and that it contains mainly painkilling medication and only a tiny amount of cortison. That s why I was not to mive the arm for 24 hours as I wouldnt feel the pain of a wrong movement. Pain is a warning sign of our body. Then, after 24 hours, I was supposed to start doing simple exercises. No need for a physio... Come back in 3 weeks ... at the end of those 3 weeks my mobility was back by 80 % . Never had a frozen shoulder again!
Btw: after 19 surgeries I certainly know about pain. The worst part with the frozen shoulder was that it was constant and no end in sight!
 
I have had 2 shoulder reconstructions, and it was a disaster. The second surgery was a total replacement. Post operative pain was nothing like I have ever experienced. The pain relief medication was a joke. It didn’t help at all, and I cried non stop for days. I discharged myself after 2 days, and went to my G.P. for pain management. The prosthesis used, was the wrong, for my height was. There’s no way I trust anyone to try to fix it, because I know how inadequate the pain relief is. I would say no, to anyone considering shoulder reconstruction, try physih
About 10 years ago I had fractured the socket in my shoulder (go-karting!). Subsequent treatment included acupuncture, 3 x Cortisol injections, athrescope and then finally in 2017 shoulder ball replacement due to arthritis. Apart from being black from shoulder to elbow (very ugly) surgery went off well. Strong pain medication for 2 weeks after helped me to quit smoking after -48 years -as I was too far out of it to feel withdrawal symptoms. I didn't even think of a smoke! Haven't touched cigarette to this day!
The shoulder - well that is another story - went through physio for 2 months later and did the exercises but I do not have any more movement from the shoulder - the only thing apart from stop smoking is that the pain in the shoulder is minor. You could say the procedure was a fail. However, now the other shoulder is a great pain - even worse than the other one and has arthritis. Said NO to the GP to having another shoulder operation, will control the pain with panadol (not allowed to take Neurofen unfortunately). Only if it freezes totally will I consider surgery.
 
I hope this procedure works, it maybe a break through treatment for other joint issues as well. I recently had a knee replacement and let me tell you it was not a simple process, infection, clots in the lungs, bleed into the wound and cellulitis. It took place in November and I`m still not over it. Apparently this can take place in other joint reconstructions as well. So bring on anything that can treat joint issues that are not so invasive.
 
Have seen multiple stories saying cortisone is just a mask (only numbs the pain) if you continue to use the affected area you will not feel the pain but, increase the damage. Inflammation is a major cause of nerve pain and many other types of pain, treating the inflammation through diet and nutrition has been known to be successful in many cases, good food is cheaper than surgery.
 
Have seen multiple stories saying cortisone is just a mask (only numbs the pain) if you continue to use the affected area you will not feel the pain but, increase the damage. Inflammation is a major cause of nerve pain and many other types of pain, treating the inflammation through diet and nutrition has been known to be successful in many cases, good food is cheaper than surgery.
i was only allowed 3 injections.
 
I had frozen shoulder which lasted for nearly 2 years. Terrible not being able to get dressed. Thankfully it was my left arm. The pain was really bad when trying to raise my arm. Nothing much could be done but I read about Bowen therapy and tried it. This helped a lot. My biggest fear is getting it again
 
I had frozen shoulder which lasted for nearly 2 years. Terrible not being able to get dressed. Thankfully it was my left arm. The pain was really bad when trying to raise my arm. Nothing much could be done but I read about Bowen therapy and tried it. This helped a lot. My biggest fear is getting it again
I still have to do up my bra to put it over the head and shoulders! Not enough movement behind my back.
 
I have now had 5 operations to the right shoulder for different reasons, including frozen shoulder. Each time the initial treatment was one & then sometimes a second cortisone injection under guidance. Each time these did not work & surgery followed.

I have have cortisone to other parts of my body that was, in more than 80% of the cases, followed by surgery.

Cortisone has a very low success rate for me.
 
I've had frozen shoulder in my right arm/shoulder once and in my left shoulder twice. It's very limiting and quite painful. The right one I had a cortisone injection in after 2 yrs which helped but had one in my left shoulder, that made it worse. The second time it healed after 2-3 years by it'self and now I have it again in my left shoulder and can't seek treatment as I'm bedbound due to a Neurological illness. I have an underactive Thyroid also, so that appears to be true.
 
I have had 2 shoulder reconstructions, and it was a disaster. The second surgery was a total replacement. Post operative pain was nothing like I have ever experienced. The pain relief medication was a joke. It didn’t help at all, and I cried non stop for days. I discharged myself after 2 days, and went to my G.P. for pain management. The prosthesis used, was the wrong, for my height was. There’s no way I trust anyone to try to fix it, because I know how inadequate the pain relief is. I would say no, to anyone considering shoulder reconstruction, try physih
Yes I agree, my other knee is going down hill, the pain medication I was given following my first knee replacment sent me crazy, I was hallucinating, became very verbally agressive and although could not walk, was planning to sneak out of the hospital and the pain relief DID NOT work. I`m terrified about the possibility of having my other knee replaced, it might even kill me next time! By the way I did try physio and accupuncture and cortisone injections before the first knee replacement but it was too far gone.
 
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When I had the cortisone injection for my shoulder pain I was told not to do any lifting, no vacuuming, no back and forth movement with that shoulder for ten days. Also to expect some pain until things sorted themselves out--torn ligament/swollen and inflamed bursa. From that injection all pain stopped.

There are twinges now and then but all in all, it did the trick, same with my knee after having cortisone injection. Guess I'm one of the lucky ones in that condition.

The worst pain? Nerve pain. When I had a laminectomy the dura that protects the spinal cord got torn, of course it was stitched up. After the anaesthetics wore off any movement of my left leg had my scream out in agony -- the stitches were rubbing on the nerve with any movement.
Same for me with the shoulder pain, but I’d had 2 prior to the 3rd one that did absolutely nothing at all ….The third and last was my last chance so I made sure it was good and sore for the ultrasound…. I got the injection the day after the ultrasound, and it was put in, in different place than the first 2…..The pain went away like magic…. I was told to take it very easy too, for up to 10 days to let the injection work…. I couldn’t believe it worked so well….that was 4 years ago and although the pain comes back now and again, it goes away very quickly when I can rest it….
 
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About 10 years ago I had fractured the socket in my shoulder (go-karting!). Subsequent treatment included acupuncture, 3 x Cortisol injections, athrescope and then finally in 2017 shoulder ball replacement due to arthritis. Apart from being black from shoulder to elbow (very ugly) surgery went off well. Strong pain medication for 2 weeks after helped me to quit smoking after -48 years -as I was too far out of it to feel withdrawal symptoms. I didn't even think of a smoke! Haven't touched cigarette to this day!
The shoulder - well that is another story - went through physio for 2 months later and did the exercises but I do not have any more movement from the shoulder - the only thing apart from stop smoking is that the pain in the shoulder is minor. You could say the procedure was a fail. However, now the other shoulder is a great pain - even worse than the other one and has arthritis. Said NO to the GP to having another shoulder operation, will control the pain with panadol (not allowed to take Neurofen unfortunately). Only if it freezes totally will I consider surgery.
What an awful option!
 
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When I had the cortisone injection for my shoulder pain I was told not to do any lifting, no vacuuming, no back and forth movement with that shoulder for ten days. Also to expect some pain until things sorted themselves out--torn ligament/swollen and inflamed bursa. From that injection all pain stopped.

There are twinges now and then but all in all, it did the trick, same with my knee after having cortisone injection. Guess I'm one of the lucky ones in that condition.

The worst pain? Nerve pain. When I had a laminectomy the dura that protects the spinal cord got torn, of course it was stitched up. After the anaesthetics wore off any movement of my left leg had my scream out in agony -- the stitches were rubbing on the nerve with any movement.
I feel for you.Nerve pain worst.All the best
 
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