My mother is having diabetes due to which she got frozen shoulder for the past 8 months. I am taking her for physiotherapy sessions but also she is unable to move her hand completely.

Ans: Dear Madam/Sir. Thank you for your question. Sorry to hear about your mother’s condition. Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a common complication in people with diabetes and can be quite painful and limiting. Since it has been eight months, she may be in the frozen or early thawing stage, where pain might reduce but stiffness remains. It’s good that she is undergoing physiotherapy, as consistent therapy is essential in managing this condition. Make sure her treatment includes passive and active-assisted range-of-motion exercises, joint mobilizations, and stretching techniques specific to the shoulder capsule. Applying heat before therapy or using ultrasound can help relax the joint and make exercises more effective. Maintaining good blood sugar control is also crucial, as uncontrolled diabetes can worsen inflammation and delay healing. If progress is slow, consult her doctor about additional options like corticosteroid injections, hydrodilatation, or even manipulation under anesthesia in resistant cases. Encouraging her to perform gentle home exercises daily, even if painful, is important to prevent further stiffness. Recovery from frozen shoulder is often slow and can take 12 to 18 months, but steady improvement is possible with the right approach. I wish your mother a smooth and speedy recovery.