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Home / Ask the Expert / Frozen shoulder and hormones

Frozen shoulder and hormones

January 24, 2010 By Arthritis Center

Question

This is to alert the medical field in the event no one saw the “red” flag I did. Is research being conducted as to the connection of the Cox-1 and 2 enzymes relating to women in particular (around age 50)who develop conditions such as “frozen” shoulders? As I scanned a medical article a few years ago, I think I read that 3 or 4 organs produced the enzyme(s) with the ovaries being one of them. I was in PT for a month with a projected 6-month range for healing – it began 8 months prior with gradual increase of pain & loss of motion to the point of not raising it even to put on deoderant. Within one week after beginning hormones – Estradiol and a testosterone pellet – I had no pain and could raise my arm again. Has anyone made the connection to this ailment to hormonal levels and/or the ovaries? Women should not have to suffer along with the other symptoms of hormonal imbalance. My orthopedic doctor never mentioned there could be a tie and only recommended PT weekly with medication(Celebrex). By chance I went to an endocrinologist for menopause symtoms after one month in therapy. It was like a miracle, but the endocrinologist said he had seen it time and again with hormones exhibiting a “healing” effect. No response is necessary but I hope the medical community will look to see if the underlying cause may well be due to a hormonal imbalance and guide patients to the proper treatment. I wonder if that is the basis of many problems as we age. Thank you for “listening” and the work you do.

Answer

Hi Barb,

thanks for your thoughtful comments.  I am not aware of any data linking frozen shoulder to low levels of estrogen (or testosterone).  However, I am glad that you got better when you started the hormones.  I see a lot of women on estrogen who unfortunately still get frozen shoulder.  But, maybe you’ve identified a new question for researchers in the field !!

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