Symptoms of periarthritis of the shoulder

Written by Qiu Xiang Zhong
Orthopedics
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Periarthritis of the shoulder generally occurs in people over 40 years old, with the most common symptom being pain in the shoulder joint. Initially, there may be a soreness and pain in the shoulder, which is milder during the day and often worsens at night. The pain may intensify with changes in weather or after exposure to cold. In later stages, the pain may gradually spread around the entire shoulder joint and may involve the neck, scapular area, deltoid muscle, upper arm, or the lateral side of the forearm. Periarthritis not only causes shoulder pain, but also leads to restricted movement of the shoulder. This manifests as difficulties in simple actions that require raising the arms, such as combing hair, dressing, or scratching an itch. In advanced stages of periarthritis, there may also be muscle atrophy in the shoulder, particularly in the lateral deltoid muscle, which intensifies the movement disorders of the shoulder joint, resulting in difficulties in lifting the upper arm and extending it backward. Shoulder pain is not solely caused by periarthritis and should not be self-diagnosed. If shoulder pain occurs, it is advisable to seek medical treatment at a hospital.

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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 Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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How to cure periarthritis of the shoulder using the arm-swinging method?

In the treatment of periarthritis of the shoulder, there is a method called "arm-swinging". The main technique of arm-swinging involves swinging the shoulder joint inward, outward, forward, and backward, forming a circle with the shoulder joint. This circle is actually two circles: one from the front to the back, and another from the back to the front. The arm-swinging method should be very effective for treating periarthritis of the shoulder, but the following issues need to be noted: First, it is crucial to exclude any rotator cuff injuries, especially tears in the supraspinatus or infraspinatus muscles. If tears in the supraspinatus or infraspinatus muscles occur, the arm-swinging method is not recommended due to its "zipper effect." This refers to a small initial tear that could further enlarge through improper exercise, eventually becoming a large tear. Thus, the first point is to rule out rotator cuff injuries. Second, when performing the arm-swinging method, one should not rush and should progress gradually. Initially, the range may be very small or the movement may not be possible to perform, but with consistent and persistent practice, the range of motion will gradually increase, making arm-swinging easier. However, rushing may lead to muscle tears around the shoulder joint or tear injuries to the joint capsule. Third, although the arm-swinging method can have a beneficial effect in treating periarthritis of the shoulder, starting the exercise can be very painful. Therefore, it may be necessary to use other methods initially, such as taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs orally, or undergoing massage or physiotherapy, to relax the muscles and ligaments around the shoulder joint. This can reduce pain during the arm-swinging exercises and enhance effectiveness.

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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 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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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.