Case Series: Adhesive Capsulitis and the Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause

The musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause is a novel term that describes the constellation of musculoskeletal conditions associated with estrogen decline in women going through menopause. Adhesive capsulitis, which disproportionately affects women, may be related to these hormonal changes. We present two cases of adhesive capsulitis in women who were simultaneously going through the menopausal transition. The first patient is a 50-year-old woman with bilateral shoulder pain and restricted range of motion who was also experiencing irregular menstrual cycles. She was treated with corticosteroid injections and symptoms improved at 6 month follow up. The second patient is a 51-year-old woman with menopausal symptoms including hot flashes and weight gain who developed right shoulder pain and stiffness. She was diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis by an orthopedic surgeon and was treated by physical therapy. This case series strengthens the association between adhesive capsulitis and the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause.