Experts are currently conducting trials to repurpose a widely used eye injection as a preventive measure against “frozen shoulder,” a debilitating condition primarily affecting women. The medical community has noted an uptick in cases, with patients like Catherine Crouch experiencing significant mobility restrictions, rendering everyday tasks like dressing nearly impossible.
Crouch described her recent experience with intense pain, indicating a recurrence of frozen shoulder on her right side. Medical professionals assert that the symptoms of this condition can mimic those of severe arthritis. According to Associate Professor Sumit Raniga from Macquarie University, examinations of frozen shoulder patients reveal a striking lack of joint lining, resembling end-stage arthritis, despite normal X-ray results.
Frozen shoulder, or “adhesive capsulitis,” typically persists for up to two years and involves three distinct phases, each presenting unique challenges and limited treatment options. During the initial “freezing stage,” patients suffer from pain and stiffness, which may be alleviated somewhat through corticosteroid injections. As the condition progresses into the frozen stage, while pain may diminish, mobility remains restricted. Physiotherapy only becomes effective when the shoulder begins to “thaw.”
Researchers are now investigating the underlying sources of pain in frozen shoulder cases. They have observed a proliferation of blood vessels and nerve endings developing around the shoulder capsule during the freezing phase, which may be key to understanding this condition. Therefore, targeting these growths could hold the potential for relief.
Raniga explained that the trial involves a repurposed drug commonly used in eye treatments, which is deemed safe given its extensive history of usage worldwide. The motivation behind this pilot trial is particularly pressing, considering an increase in frozen shoulder cases associated with diabetes, especially among younger individuals. Women suffering from conditions such as underactive thyroid or ischaemic heart disease are also identified as more susceptible.
As experts explore this innovative approach to prevent and potentially treat frozen shoulder, the hope is to provide significant relief to those affected, thus improving their quality of life.