Is periarthritis of the shoulder serious?

Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
Updated on December 23, 2024
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Periarthritis of the shoulder refers to the aseptic inflammation of soft tissues such as tendons, ligaments, and joint capsules around the shoulder joint due to chronic strain, which results in symptoms like pain and limited mobility of the shoulder joint. It is commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly women. Therefore, the severity of shoulder arthritis should be analyzed based on specific symptoms and the extent of functional impact. It is recommended to visit the orthopedics department of a reputable hospital for consultation. Treatment should be chosen based on the pain level and the extent of joint impact, in order to alleviate pain and restore function.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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How to treat periarthritis of the shoulder?

Periarthritis of the shoulder generally refers to the aseptic inflammation around the shoulder joint, which is common in middle-aged and elderly women. It is caused by chronic strain of the shoulder joint, affecting the surrounding muscles, tendons, joint capsules, and ligaments. First, it is important to rest and you can promote blood circulation around the area with appropriate physiotherapy, such as hot compresses and acupuncture, to facilitate the repair of the damaged area. At the same time, appropriate exercise should be carried out to avoid stiffness of the joint that can occur with prolonged immobility or passive restraint.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Early symptoms of periarthritis of the shoulder

The early symptoms of periarthritis of the shoulder are pain in the shoulder and limited movement of the shoulder joint, especially the action of raising the arm, which is clearly restricted. Therefore, for the treatment of this condition, it is encouraged that patients engage in functional exercises early on. If one fears the pain and dares not to move the shoulder joint, it will lead to stiffness of the joint and atrophy of the surrounding muscles. Generally speaking, periarthritis of the shoulder is a self-limiting disease with a typical duration of about one year. If you can raise your shoulder and perform normal activities within a year, then there will be no residual sequelae afterwards. However, if within a year, the shoulder joint becomes stiff and its movement becomes limited, then after a year, the symptoms of shoulder pain will significantly improve, but there will be some loss of range of motion in the joint. Therefore, for all patients with periarthritis of the shoulder, early functional exercise is encouraged to avoid symptoms such as joint effusion, joint stiffness, and muscle atrophy.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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Symptoms of Periarthritis of Shoulder

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 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.