Hormone Replacement Therapy as an Adjunct Treatment for Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder in Peri- and Postmenopausal Women

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) combined with standard treatment on symptoms of frozen shoulder in women experiencing age-related menstrual changes such as perimenopause or menopause. Frozen shoulder, medically known as adhesive capsulitis, involves shoulder pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion and mainly affects peri- and postmenopausal women. The study focuses on assessing the impact of adding HRT to standard care to improve shoulder function and reduce symptom severity. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will receive HRT consisting of a 0.5 mg estradiol skin patch and a daily 100 mg oral progestin pill for six months, along with standard care which includes a corticosteroid injection into the shoulder joint and physical therapy. The other group will receive only the standard care treatment. The steroid injections are guided by ultrasound and involve local anesthesia. Physical therapy includes referral and an at-home exercise program. During the study, participants will be monitored over six months with follow-up assessments including the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and shoulder range of motion measurements to evaluate changes in pain, function, and movement. The study uses clinical measurements and a novel marker-less movement analysis system to assess functional workspace. Researchers will analyze changes within and between groups to understand the effects of HRT as an additional treatment. The total duration of participation is six months.

Frozen Shoulder and Hormone Replacement Therapy