What is 'frozen shoulder' and how does it relate to Parkinson's?

What is 'frozen shoulder' and how does it relate to Parkinson's?

Neal Hermanowicz (Director of the Movement Disorders Program) gives expert video advice on: How is dexterity affected by Parkinson's?; How does Parksinson's affect the skin?; How does Parkinson's affect body weight? and more...

Frozen shoulder is increasingly being recognized as sometimes a very early presenting complaint in Parkinsons disease. People will come in talking to their doctor, complaining to their doctor that they feel stiff or have a sense of pain in their shoulder. And it may be, when it's early, not recognized for what it is, meaning a symptom or manifestation of Parkinsons disease. People thought maybe they have a rotator cuff problem, or they're having some sort of orthopedic or arthritic problem in their shoulder, when in fact it's a consequence of the stiffness that's occuring on that limb. Again, in Parkinsons disease, it usually shows up first just on one side, so people will come in complaining of "my shoulder is stiff", or "I'm slow", or "I have this sense of pain in my shoulder", and with Parkinsons disease it actually improves.