Scapulohumeral periarthritis，if not treated timely and effectively, will cause limited shoulder joint function and range of motion. There could be extensive tenderness in shoulder joint, and it may radiate to the neck and elbow. In severe cases, there may be deltoid muscle atrophy of different degrees.
What Are Scapulohumeral Periarthritis Symptoms?
The course of the disease is relatively long. At first, there is paroxysmal pain in the shoulder, and most pain is chronic. Later, the pain gradually intensifies and is usually persistent, the pain can spread to the neck and upper limbs (especially the elbow). Shoulder pain is mild in the day and severe at night, and it is sensitive to climate change (especially cold). After the aggravation of the disease, the shoulder joint range of motion in all directions will be limited. As a result, patients’ ADL will be affected, and their elbow joint functions will be limited in severe cases.
The Cycle of Scapulohumeral Periarthritis
1. Pain period (lasting 2-9 months)
The main manifestation is pain, which can involve shoulder joint, upper arm, elbow and even forearm. The pain is aggravated during activity and affects sleep.
2. Stiff period (lasting 4-12 months)
It is mainly joint stiffness, patients cannot make the full range of motion even with the help of the other hand.
3. Recovery period (lasting 5-26 months)
Pain and stiffness gradually recovered, the whole process of the disease from onset to recovery is about 12-42 months.
Scapulohumeral Periarthritis Is Self-healing
Scapulohumeral periarthritis is self-healing, most people can be improved through daily activities when the symptoms are mild. However, the time of natural recovery is not predictable, and it usually takes months to 2 years. A small number of people who do not exercise due to fear of pain will have local adhesion, resulting in limited shoulder joint range of motion.
Therefore, patients can do self-massage and functional exercise to stretch muscles and joints, thus eliminating local muscle tension and spasm, as well as promoting blood circulation. In this way, patients can enhance the elasticity of muscles and ligaments around the shoulder, prevent adhesion, and achieve the purpose of relieving pain and maintaining shoulder joint function.
Misunderstanding of Scapulohumeral Periarthritis
Misunderstanding 1: over-reliance on painkillers.
Statistics found that most of the interviewees who had experienced acute shoulder pain chose to use drugs for pain relief and treatment. However, painkillers can only temporarily relieve or control pain locally, and the causes of pain cannot be properly treated. Instead, it will cause chronic pain.
Misunderstanding 2: refusing to use painkillers for fear of side effects.
Some people refuse to use painkillers for fear of side effects after manipulation or arthroscopy. Taking analgesics can reduce the pain after treatment, which is good for functional exercise and recovery promotion.
In addition, recent studies have found that some analgesics can prevent the recurrence of adhesions. Therefore, after manipulation or arthroscopic treatment, it’s necessary to use analgesics appropriately.
Misunderstanding 3: scapulohumeral periarthritis does not need treatment, it’ll be better naturally.
In fact, scapulohumeral periarthritis can cause shoulder pain and dysfunction. The self-healing mainly refers to the relief of shoulder pain. But in most cases, dysfunction remains.
Because of the compensation of scapula activity, most patients do not feel the limitation of function. The purpose of treatment is to shorten the course of disease, to maximize the recovery of shoulder joint function, and to improve the quality of life of patients.
Misunderstanding 4: all scapulohumeral periarthritis can be recovered through exercise
The main symptoms are shoulder pain and dysfunction, but not all scapulohumeral periarthritis can be restored through function exercise.
Severe cases for which shoulder adhesion and pain are serious, manipulation is necessary for restoring shoulder functions. Functional exercise is only an important way to maintain the function after manipulation.
Misunderstanding 5: Manipulation will strain normal tissue.
In fact, manipulation targets the weakest tissues around the shoulder joint. According to the principle of mechanics, the weakest part fractures first under the same stretching force. Compared with normal tissue, adhesive tissue is much weaker in all aspects. As long as the manipulation is within the scope of physiological activities, it mobilizes the adhesive tissues.
With the application of anesthesia methods, after the muscle of the patient’s shoulder is relaxed, the manipulation does not need much effort, and the safety and curative effect are greatly improved. It is unnecessary to worry about the manipulation within the normal physiological range, because shoulder joint used to move in this range.
Post time: Sep-21-2020