Is periarthritis of the shoulder serious?

Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Periarthritis of the shoulder refers to the aseptic inflammatory reaction caused by chronic strain on the tendons, ligaments, and joint capsule around the shoulder joint, characterized by local pain, swelling, and even limited mobility. The typical symptom is resting pain, and pain occurs during both active and passive movements. If periarthritis of the shoulder occurs, it is advisable to visit the orthopedics department of a formal hospital for appropriate treatment. Besides resting, it is also suggested to engage in proper functional exercises and physiotherapy to prevent stiffness of the shoulder joint. Periarthritis of the shoulder can be very painful and significantly affects the movement of the entire shoulder joint. The symptoms are quite severe, but with systematic treatment, function generally can be restored.

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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 Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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Where does periarthritis of the shoulder hurt?

Periarthritis of the shoulder generally refers to a sterile inflammatory response due to chronic strain in the tendons, ligaments, and joint capsule around the shoulder joint, commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly women, and is a self-limiting disease. Clinically, it is referred to as frozen shoulder, or fifty shoulder. With the occurrence of periarthritis of the shoulder, there will be pain around the shoulder joint, particularly where the tendons and ligaments attach, with the pain covering a wide area and notably manifesting as resting pain at night. In the early stages of periarthritis, it should be managed with rest and appropriate physical therapies, including infrared therapy, among others, to alleviate inflammation and relieve pain. When necessary, oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications may be used to ease the symptoms, along with appropriate functional exercises to prevent shoulder joint stiffness due to prolonged immobility. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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Symptoms of Periarthritis of the Shoulder

Periarthritis of the shoulder refers to aseptic inflammation of the ligaments, joint capsules, and tendons around the shoulder joint due to chronic strain. This condition is characterized by localized pain, limited mobility, and typically rest pain. There is limited ability to perform movements such as abduction, elevation, and extension during active motion, and an increase in pain during passive movement. It is also necessary to rule out injuries to the rotator cuff or labrum to diagnose periarthritis of the shoulder.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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What should I do about periarthritis of the shoulder?

Periarthritis of the shoulder commonly occurs in middle-aged and elderly patients. The causes of the disease are mainly due to degenerative changes in soft tissues, chronic injuries caused by long-term overexertion, poor posture, or improper treatment recovery after shoulder injuries. Patients with periarthritis of the shoulder may experience pain and limited movement in the shoulder. It is important to rest, keep warm, and use anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications. Traditional Chinese Medicine that promotes blood circulation and removes stasis can be used to improve symptoms and promote recovery. Additionally, treatment can include hot compresses, physical therapy, massage, pain point blockade, and exercises to enhance the function of the shoulder joint. These methods can actively improve symptoms. If conservative treatment is ineffective or if functional impairments occur, surgical treatment may also be considered.

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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.