How to treat periarthritis of the shoulder?

Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
Updated on September 29, 2024
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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 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 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 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 Li Jin
Orthopedics
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Diagnostic methods for frozen shoulder

Patients with frozen shoulder can be diagnosed based on symptoms, physical examination, X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and other tests. An MRI of the shoulder joint, in particular, can determine whether there is inflammation around the shoulder joint and can be an effective method for identifying the location of the lesion and for differential diagnosis. Patients with frozen shoulder should first focus on rest and maintaining good posture. They can also use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to alleviate pain. Additional treatments may include applying heat, undergoing physical therapy, massage, trigger point injections, or performing functional rehabilitation exercises for the shoulder joint. Generally, these treatments can achieve good results. If conservative treatments are ineffective or if there is a functional impairment, surgical methods may also be considered for treatment.

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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.