Targeting the cells driving frozen shoulder

Disease - Shoulder pain

Lead applicant - Professor Stephanie Dakin

Organisation - University of Oxford

Type of grant - Career Development Fellowship 

Status of grant - Active

Amount of the original award - £358,879.00

Start date - 01 December 2019

Reference - 22425

Public Summary

What are the aims of this research? 

Unlike other forms of arthritis, frozen shoulder is a condition that can spontaneously get better over time. However, the reasons why the condition develops, and how it gets better remain unclear. Researchers aim to investigate the cells and processes involved in frozen shoulder, to better understand it causes and how it can be treated.

Why is this research important?

Frozen shoulder is a common cause of shoulder pain, affecting 10% of the working population. The condition is poorly understood and there are no effective treatments. People are usually affected for 2-5 years until disease almost always spontaneously gets better.

Researchers will collect tissues from frozen shoulder patients undergoing surgery and identify the cells involved and the biological processes that make frozen shoulder get better. Understanding how frozen shoulder ultimately improves may identify targets for new treatment to accelerate resolution of the condition.

How will the findings benefit patients?

New approaches are required to address the needs of frozen shoulder patients and reduce the NHS financial burden. This research hopes to improve understanding of frozen shoulder and identify new therapies that could better treat the condition. Findings may also improve understanding and help treatment of other arthritis conditions.