WOMEN AGED 40 TO 60 AT RISK OF SUFFERING FROM FROZEN SHOULDER

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- Women aged between 40 and 60, particularly those suffering from diabetes, thyroid, Parkinson's disease or cancer, often experience frozen shoulder, which can lead to prolonged loss of shoulder mobility if left untreated.

Dr Suresh George V Nainan, the Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma, Arthroplasty and Robotic surgeon at Sunway Medical Centre (SMC), Bandar Sunway, said most cases are idiopathic, meaning there is no identifiable cause but, according to several studies, diabetics are more than three times prone to developing a frozen shoulder compared to others.

"There was an instance where a patient seemed to be experiencing a frozen shoulder but it turned out to be cancer. This reinforces the importance of getting it diagnosed and treated early to minimise its effects.

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"Another risk factor is immobility. A minor injury to the wrist or elbow can indirectly lead to a frozen shoulder due to a lack of movement.

"It is common for those who have had their arms in slings of casts for prolonged periods to develop this condition,” he said in a statement today.

He said a frozen shoulder is characterised by inflammation of the shoulder joint, often without any clear cause and the condition typically begins with progressive pain and stiffness, eventually leading to significant immobility of the shoulder joint.

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He added that the condition then progresses to the freezing stage, which lasts between two and nine months; the frozen stage, which can last from four to 12 months; and the thawing or recovery stage, which can take six months to two years.

Dr Suresh George also emphasises the importance of early diagnosis and intervention to prevent long-term shoulder stiffness and immobility.

"Early diagnosis can significantly shorten the duration and severity of a frozen shoulder. Although most people will eventually recover, early intervention can speed up the process and reduce discomfort,” he said.

Treatment is divided into three categories, namely conservative management, which includes physical therapy, pain management with anti-inflammatory medications and exercises to improve shoulder mobility; steroid injections to reduce inflammation and make movement easier; and surgery, which may be considered in very rare cases if the condition persists beyond 18 months.

He said that staying active could help prevent the condition, adding that it is crucial to start gentle shoulder exercises as soon as possible for those who have had an injury or surgery that immobilised their arm.

In addition, he said exercises like yoga and pilates, which focused on stretching and flexibility could be highly beneficial as they encouraged shoulder mobility and improve flexibility, which then helps prevent stiffness related to a frozen shoulder.

He added that SMC, being the largest private quaternary hospital in Malaysia and renowned for its high standards in healthcare, had recently organised the SunMed Orthopaedic Symposium 2024.

The two-day event brought together healthcare professionals, including specialist consultants, general practitioners, nurses and allied health practitioners, both in person and virtually to provide valuable insights into the latest advancements and best practices in orthopaedic treatment.

SMC is also the first private hospital in the country to hold three prestigious accreditations from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS), the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI), further reinforcing its commitment to providing world-class healthcare services and upholding the highest standards of patient care and safety.

SMC is also equipped with 28 Centres of Excellence, with over 60 medical specialities and 724 licensed beds, with the capacity to expand to about 1,100 beds once the hospital completes its sixth block, Tower F, by the fourth quarter of this year.

-- BERNAMA