Shoulder ache meant I couldn't raise my arm. This was surprising cause
Feeling a dull ache in the centre of her left shoulder, Emma Mapp thought she had simply tweaked a muscle while working out at the gym.
TL;DR
- Emma Mapp experienced a severe frozen shoulder, initially mistaking it for a gym injury, which limited her arm movement and social life.
- While common menopausal symptoms include hot flushes and brain fog, frozen shoulder is an unexpected potential symptom for some women.
- Research indicates a potential link between the drop in estrogen during menopause and an increased risk of frozen shoulder, as estrogen plays a role in musculoskeletal health.
- Studies suggest women not taking HRT are significantly more likely to develop a frozen shoulder compared to those on HRT.
- Oestrogen's anti-inflammatory properties and its support for connective tissue health are compromised during menopause, potentially leading to stiffer collagen and increased inflammation.
- While some experts believe the correlation is due to the age group affected, others point to hormonal changes as a direct cause.
- Treatments for frozen shoulder include hydrodistension (injections of saline, anesthetic, and steroid) and physiotherapy, though these can sometimes exacerbate pain initially.
- Emma's condition was confirmed after an injury, leading to a hydrocortisone injection which significantly improved her shoulder mobility.
- The condition is sometimes referred to as '50s shoulder' in other countries, highlighting the awareness of its link to menopause.
- Early medical advice is encouraged for women experiencing shoulder pain around the menopausal age.