Vitamin C as a Potential Prophylactic Measure Against Frozen Shoulder in an In Vivo Shoulder Contracture Animal Model

Area of Science:

• Biomedical research
• Orthopedics
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Frozen shoulder, a condition causing pain and restricted movement, can be primary (idiopathic) or secondary (post-trauma/surgery).
• Current prophylactic and therapeutic options for frozen shoulder are often inadequate.
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), a potent antioxidant, may inhibit nuclear factor κB, a key player in inflammatory processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of vitamin C as a preventative measure for secondary frozen shoulder.
• To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and tissue-modulating effects of vitamin C in an animal model of shoulder contracture.

Main Methods:

• A controlled laboratory study using an in vivo rat model of shoulder contracture.
• Rats underwent limb fixation to induce shoulder contracture.
• A treatment group received oral vitamin C, while a control group did not; capsular thickness was measured via MRI.

Main Results:

• Vitamin C treatment led to reduced thickening of the axillary fold in the operated shoulder compared to controls.
• Significant differences in capsular thickness were observed at specific locations within the axillary recess via MRI.
• Histological findings corroborated the MRI measurements, supporting vitamin C's structural impact.

Conclusions:

• Prophylactic vitamin C demonstrated a potential to reduce axillary recess thickening in a preclinical model of secondary frozen shoulder.
• Vitamin C may serve as a noninvasive strategy for preventing secondary frozen shoulder or treating early-stage primary frozen shoulder.
• Further human studies are necessary to validate these findings and determine appropriate dosages.