Where does periarthritis of the shoulder hurt?

Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 11, 2024
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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.

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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 Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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Causes of Periarthritis of Shoulder

Periarthritis of the shoulder is mainly caused by chronic damage and degeneration of the joint which leads to chronic wear and tear, as well as aseptic inflammation in the tendons, ligaments, and joint capsule around the shoulder joint, resulting in pain and limited mobility around the shoulder. To diagnose periarthritis of the shoulder, it is first necessary to rule out limited mobility of the shoulder joint due to trauma, such as injuries to the rotator cuff and other related conditions. Imaging studies like MRI can also be used to clarify and rule out rotator cuff injuries and other conditions, and a clear diagnosis can be made in conjunction with physical examination and etiology.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Symptoms of periarthritis of the shoulder

Patients with periarthritis of the shoulder typically exhibit symptoms of pain around the shoulder joint, which may affect their ability to lift their arms normally. This can interfere with daily activities such as washing the face or combing hair, which are common clinical symptoms of periarthritis of the shoulder. Once periarthritis of the shoulder is diagnosed, it is necessary to actively treat it. Treatments can include using topical plasters that activate blood circulation and relieve stasis, and taking oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications to alleviate pain. In cases with significant pain points, localized injections can be administered, and combined with physiotherapy methods such as acupuncture, electrotherapy, and cupping. It is also important to actively engage in exercises like wall climbing to improve shoulder joint function. (Medication 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 Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
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How to exercise for frozen shoulder

Periarthritis of the shoulder, commonly presents with shoulder pain, stiffness, or worsening of pain with movement. This condition is frequently seen in individuals around 50 years old, more often in women than men, and commonly among physical laborers. Without timely treatment, it can exacerbate the functional mobility of the shoulder joint, making everyday tasks like combing hair, dressing, washing the face, or placing hands on hips difficult. In severe cases, it could even affect elbow mobility. Early intervention typically involves exercise; despite discomfort, it is essential to persist and may require analgesics or drugs that promote blood circulation and stop bleeding. Exercises like "wall climbing," using horizontal bars, or stretching within doorframes aim to equalize the range of motion between the affected limb and a healthy shoulder joint. Both active and passive movements, such as swinging the arms forward and backward for 50 repetitions each morning, can provide relief. The process should be gradual and progressively intensified. If self-directed exercise proves ineffective, interventions like injections can be administered by a physician, which relieve pain by detaching the sticky interactions among ligaments, muscles, and tendons in the shoulder area, thereby easing the symptoms over time. Continuous pain may persist for a while; alternatively, brachial plexus or cervical plexus anesthesia followed by manual reduction can significantly reduce pain and gradually alleviate symptoms.