Shoulder periarthritis is what?

Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 16, 2024
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The so-called periarthritis of the shoulder is a sterile inflammation of the shoulder region caused by overexertion, straining stimuli, exposure to cold, or external injuries. It is primarily characterized by pain around the shoulder, especially during shoulder lifting, where the pain becomes more pronounced and can seriously affect the patient's normal shoulder-lifting function. This condition often occurs in middle-aged and elderly patients. Common treatments for periarthritis of the shoulder include rest and protection, local heat application, and local injection treatment for specific pain points. Additionally, topical ointments that invigorate blood and dissipate stasis can be used, along with oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs to alleviate the patient's pain symptoms.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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How is periarthritis of the shoulder treated?

Periarthritis of the shoulder is mainly caused by degenerative changes in the soft tissues around the shoulder joint, chronic damage due to long-term overexertion, poor posture, and other factors, leading to symptoms such as shoulder pain and limited mobility. For the treatment of periarthritis of the shoulder, it is important to first rest and keep warm to prevent cold exposure. When symptoms of pain and limited mobility occur, symptomatic treatment with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication, blood-activating and stasis-dissolving traditional Chinese medicine can be used to improve symptoms. Additionally, treatments such as hot compresses, physical therapy, massage, pain point blockades, and functional exercises for the shoulder joint can be employed. These methods play an active role in improving symptoms and delaying the progression of the disease. In cases where conservative treatment is ineffective or functional impairment occurs, surgical treatment can also be considered.

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Written by Xie Yi Song
Orthopedics
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Shoulder periarthritis symptoms

In daily life, periarthritis of the shoulder often has the following symptoms and manifestations: The first is movement impairment. This is manifested as limited movement in various directions of the shoulder joint, including outward extension of the upper limbs, actions such as chest-expanding, taking off clothes, as well as significant difficulties in lifting and rotating. This can present as an inability to flexibly comb hair, wash face, and dress or undress. This is a key point in distinguishing frozen shoulder from other shoulder disorders. The second is pain. It manifests as pain in one shoulder joint without obvious trauma, which can be a dull pain or sharp, knife-like pain, often worsening at night and even causing awakening due to pain. The pain can radiate to the neck, back, forearm, and hand. The third is tenderness. Most patients with the condition widely experience tender points upon pressing around the affected joint. Muscle stiffness and atrophy may occur. The muscles around the shoulder, such as the deltoid and supraspinatus, can become stiff during the onset, and disuse atrophy may occur in the later stages.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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How to exercise for frozen shoulder

Typically, there are several methods for exercising with patients suffering from periarthritis of the shoulder. For example, wall climbing motions can be performed to exercise the mobility of the shoulder joint. Exercises can also be done on horizontal bars. The objective is to restore normal joint mobility and prevent joint stiffness. Additionally, patients with periarthritis of the shoulder often experience severe pain. Local pain points can be treated with an injection block, or topical plasters that invigorate the blood and break up stasis can be used. Treatment also includes oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs that invigorate the blood and break up stasis. Furthermore, it is necessary to reduce physical activity, avoid exposure to cold, apply local heat, and use acupuncture and electrotherapy. Gradually, recovery will be achieved.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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How to exercise with frozen shoulder

In clinical practice, there are various exercise methods for patients with periarthritis of the shoulder. The main purpose of these exercises is to restore the normal range of motion of the shoulder joint, thereby fully restoring the patient's normal functions. Patients with periarthritis can perform exercises like climbing walls by touching the wall or gradually pulling up on a horizontal bar to strengthen shoulder functions. Additionally, it is necessary to actively apply local heat, minimize local irritation, persistently use topical ointments that activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis, and take oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and blood-activating drugs to treat and improve the symptoms of shoulder pain effectively. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Where does periarthritis of the shoulder hurt?

Usually, patients with periarthritis of the shoulder mainly exhibit pain around the shoulder joint area, and severe cases may affect the normal function of lifting the shoulder. This is mainly due to long periods of excessive fatigue, friction, and irritation, causing aseptic inflammation around the shoulder area, which manifests as pain. Common treatments aim to alleviate the patient's pain symptoms. For instance, topical ointments that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis can be used, as well as oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relief medications to ease patient's pain. For cases with specific pain points, localized injections can also be performed, along with functional exercises such as wall climbing actions to exercise the mobility of the shoulder joint and prevent joint stiffness.