Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that affects anywhere from 2-5 percent of the population. And while the underlying mechanism of injury is understood, sometimes the condition’s cause can be a little difficult to pinpoint. However, some of the causes that are thought to increase a person’s risk of developing frozen shoulder have become more commonplace as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, it begs the question, could COVID-19 be leading to a rise in frozen shoulder problems?
Now, it’s important to realize that the virus itself is not causing frozen shoulder, but the total impact of the pandemic may be creating situations that could increase a person’s risk of developing frozen shoulder. We explain what we mean by this in today’s blog.
Is COVID-19 Leading To More Frozen Shoulder Problems?
While we’re still learning more about the coronavirus each day, one thing we’ve come to realize is how it can trigger an inflammatory response in the body. Even long after you’ve recovered from COVID-19, your body can remain in a heightened inflammatory state, and it’s possible that this inflammation could be behind your shoulder discomfort. That’s because your shoulder capsule is a thin lining around your shoulder joint that aids in flexibility and stability, and inflammation can wreak havoc on this thin protective layer.
As inflammation beckons more inflammation, this thin shoulder capsule becomes thicker and less pliable. If the inflammation becomes excessive, it can severely restrict your normal range of motion and lead to symptoms associated with frozen shoulder. It’s certainly possible that individuals whose immune system has been rattled by COVID-19 could be at a heightened risk for inflammation-related shoulder issues, including frozen shoulder.
But it’s not just an inflammatory response inside the body that may be leading to more cases of frozen shoulder or general shoulder pain. Lifestyle changes caused by the pandemic are also a likely culprit. For example, many physical therapy clinics either shut down or had to scale back their services in the heart of the pandemic. This made it harder for people with mild or moderate symptoms to get the care they needed, which oftentimes led to worsening conditions. By the time they are able to be seen by a specialist, they may be worse off and have a harder time treating their shoulder pain.
Another possible risk factor driven by the COVID-19 pandemic is an overall decrease in activity. Recreational departments cancelled summer athletic programs and gathering restrictions made it harder for people to get out and stay active. Our bodies thrive with activity, and the inverse is true with inactivity. Muscle atrophy and tissue weakening can occur when we’re not active, and unfortunately we saw an uptick in physical inactivity driven in part by the effects of the pandemic.
The good news is that if we’re aware that we may be at a heightened risk for shoulder conditions as a result of the pandemic, we can take tangible steps to help prevent problems from setting in. Make it a point to exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet and speak to a physical therapist or shoulder specialist if you’re starting to develop symptoms in your shoulder. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the harder it can be to find a solution that completely eliminates your pain.
So if you are dealing with shoulder pain or range of motion issues in the joint, reach out to Dr. Holloway and his team to get to the heart of the issue and develop an individualized treatment plan. For more information or to contact his office, give him a call at (865) 410-7887.
