Posted by Q from IP 68.197.226.34 on January 30, 2006 at 22:35:48:
In Reply to: RCT & frozen shoulder posted by nita on January 30, 2006 at 22:03:43:
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder, or arthrofibrosis, is the development of a stiff shoulder in the absence of significant trauma. Sometimes trivial trauma will trigger the inflammation in the shoulder; frequently, there is no injury at all. The shoulder becomes stiff and, usually, painful in the early inflammatory stages. Diagnosis depends primarily on the exclusion of other shoulder conditions. The treatment usually consists of gentle range of motion exercises. If no improvement occurs over several months, manipulation or surgical release of tight ligaments may be done. Typically, frozen shoulder is a condition which improves spontaneously, although improvement often takes one to four years,
Rotator Cuff Tendinitis and/or Bursitis
The tendons of the rotator cuff, which rotate the upper humerus and help raise the arm by pulling the humeral head down as the deltoid muscle pulls the arm up, can be irritated by pressure from the acromion process of the scapula and the coraco-acromial ligament. This irritation of the tendons &/or of the lubricating bursa is referred to as "tendinitis" &/or "bursitis." Collectively they are known as an "impingement syndrome."
The symptoms of impingement syndrome are typically those of pain, usually with motion and at night, but sometimes constantly. There may be snapping sensations with motion. Aspirin and ibuprofen frequently help the pain. Often the symptoms start after an injury due to the resultant weakening of the shoulder muscles caused by the pain from the injury.
The diagnosis of impingement syndrome is made by physical examination, and assisted by plain x-rays, and, sometimes, arthrograms or MRI's to exclude rotator cuff tears