Frozen Shoulder and Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone Replacement Therapy as an Adjunct Treatment for Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder (Frozen Shoulder) in Peri- and Postmenopausal Women
University of California, San Francisco
60 participants
Jan 15, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in addition to standard treatment on frozen shoulder symptoms in women with age-related changes to their menstrual cycle. Frozen shoulder refers to the condition a doctor diagnosed the participant with regarding shoulder pain, stiffness, and progressive loss of range of motion. Age-related menstrual cycle changes, known as perimenopause and/or menopause, refers to a change or stoppage of monthly menstrual cycles. Other symptoms participants may be experiencing include vaginal dryness, hot flashes, or night sweats. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) refers to medicine with female hormones in it. For this study, HRT will be in the form of a patch that goes on the skin and a daily oral pill. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either HRT plus standard care, or only standard care. Follow-up tests will be completed at 6 months of treatment to assess participant progress.
Eligibility
Plain Language Summary
Simplified for easier understanding
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Interventions
Participants will receive HRT for 6 months consisting of 0.5mg estradiol skin patch and 100mg of oral daily progestin
Ultrasound-guided glenohumeral joint injections will be performed in clinic by a board-certified fellowship-trained primary care sports medicine physician with expertise performing ultrasound-guided joint injections. Injections will be performed using standard aseptic technique after obtaining informed consent. For local anesthesia, 1 mL of 1% lidocaine will be injected with a 25 gauge 2-inch needle into the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Following this, a 22 gauge 2.5-inch needle will be used to inject a 5 mL combination of 1 mL of 40 mg/mL triamcinolone, 2 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine, and 2 mL of normal saline into the glenohumeral joint.
Patients will be referred to physical therapy to complete on their own and will be given an at home program to follow while they wait to see therapists.
Locations(1)
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NCT07278323