The Associations of Frozen Shoulder in Patients Requiring Arthroscopic Capsular Release

Abstract

Background

Frozen shoulder is considered to be associated with diabetes, thyroid disease, heart disease, high cholesterol and Dupuytren's disease. However, these associations have been made without arthroscopic confirmation of frozen shoulder or comparison with a control group. The present study aimed to compare the incidence of co-morbidities in a group of arthroscopically proven frozen shoulder patients and an age-and sex-matched control group.

Methods

One hundred and one patients with clinical and arthroscopically proven primary frozen shoulder and no other intra-articular pathology were identified. One hundred and one patients were recruited from a fracture clinic as an age- and sex-matched control group. Each patient was sent a questionnaire to document co-morbidities and frozen shoulder in siblings.

Results

Only diabetes (p = 0.002) and a sibling with frozen shoulder (p < 0.02) were found to be risk factors for frozen shoulder.

Discussion

This is the first large study to use a precise diagnosis and a well-matched control group to quantify the associations of frozen shoulder. It confirms the link of frozen shoulder with diabetes and adds to the argument for a genetic link in patients requiring an arthroscopic capsular release. It questions the association of heart disease, high cholesterol and thyroid disease with frozen shoulder.