Symptoms of Periarthritis of Shoulder

Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Periarthritis of the shoulder refers to the aseptic inflammation of the joint capsule, ligaments, and tendons around the shoulder joint due to chronic strain. This results in localized pain and restricted mobility. Additionally, the shoulder joint is affected during active actions such as lifting, abducting, and extending. During passive lifting activities, the pain may worsen. Also, pain is notably more severe at rest during the night. In the morning, there can be joint stiffness, which may ease after some movement, reducing both stiffness and pain.

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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 Dai Ru
Orthopedics
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The harms of periarthritis of the shoulder

Periarthritis of the shoulder, also known as frozen shoulder or "fifty-year-old's shoulder", as the name suggests, most commonly occurs around the age of 50 and is more frequent in women than in men. Periarthritis of the shoulder is merely one clinical manifestation of certain conditions and represents a vague diagnosis. Current clinical research suggests that a significant portion of periarthritis is caused by rotator cuff injuries. The main risk of periarthritis of the shoulder is that it can cause pain in the shoulder and impair the joint's mobility. In cases where significant rotator cuff injuries are ruled out, conservative treatment is primarily adopted for periarthritis of the shoulder. This includes oral anti-inflammatory pain relief medications, local blockade treatments, and enhanced functional exercises for the shoulder joint.

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Written by Su Zhen Bo
Orthopedics
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Early symptoms of frozen shoulder

The patient is suffering from periarthritis of the shoulder, which is a type of aseptic inflammation. In the early stages, the primary symptom is a subjective feeling of pain in the shoulder, which tends to worsen at night. The skin and muscle tissues around the shoulder become adhesive and hardened, and touching the area can distinctly feel stiffness and hardening. At the same time, the range of motion in the shoulder joint decreases, and moving the joint can intensify the pain. Diagnostic clarity can be achieved through MRI scans and ultrasound examinations. In the early stages, topical plasters that reduce swelling and relieve pain can be used, along with acupuncture and moxibustion, and the application of analgesic medications. It is also necessary to strengthen shoulder joint function training under the guidance of a rehabilitation physician. Pendulum movements of the shoulder joint and arc movements can help alleviate pain and increase the range of motion of the shoulder joint.

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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 Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Exercises for Periarthritis of the Shoulder

For the exercise methods of periarthritis of the shoulder, there are various exercise methods for patients with periarthritis of the shoulder in clinical practice. For instance, it is appropriate to gradually perform exercises such as pull-ups, but it is important to progress slowly and not be too vigorous at once, as this may cause potential damage to the shoulder joint capsule. Another exercise involves the "wall-crawling" movement to enhance the mobility of the shoulder joint and prevent stiffness. Additionally, for patients with severe pain from periarthritis of the shoulder, some medical treatments can be combined, such as using topical plasters that activate blood circulation and relieve stasis, oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and blood-activating drugs, as well as local treatments like heat application, small needle knife therapy, or injection therapy.