All You Need to Know about Periarthritis
Periarthritis, also known as “Frozen Shoulder” or “Adhesive Capsulitis” is a chronic inflammatory disorder which affects the shoulder and the soft tissues surrounding it. This condition is often a result of injury, which results in painful joints and their lack of use. As the joint becomes increasingly stiffer and tighter, even simple movements like raising an arm becomes a chore.
The condition of periarthritis can be divided into two types: A primary type where no obvious cause is identified and a secondary type which could be associated with organ lesion (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, dislocation or fracture). Other causes are exposure to cold, extreme strain of the shoulder or trauma. The primary type of this disorder is more common among women over 40.
The onset of pain, aggravated by excess movements of the shoulder joints may be insidious or acute. Soreness, stiffness and dysfunction of the shoulder are some major clinical manifestations of this condition. If inflammation occurs within the capsule, the bones in the shoulder become incapable of moving. On the other hand, some patients cannot move the shoulder joint at all.
The pain due to inflammation could be brought under control with some anti-inflammatory agents that are non-steroidal. Passive shoulder exercises by means of an overhead pulley are recommended 3-4 times daily. In more severe cases, anthroscopic surgery and manipulation of the shoulder under anaesthesia may be needed. Lately, more people are opting for laser treatment for shoulder arthritic pain relief, since this has been proven to show signs of improvement on the patient.