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Comparison of physiotherapy, manipulation, and corticosteroid injection for treating shoulder complaints in general practice: randomised, single blind study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of physiotherapy, manipulation, and corticosteroid injection for treating patients with shoulder complaints in general practice. DESIGN: Randomised, single blind study. SETTING: Seven general practices in the Netherlands. SUBJECTS: 198 patients with shoulder complaints, of whom 172 were divided, on the basis of physical examination, into two diagnostic groups: a shoulder girdle group (n = 58) and a synovial group (n = 114). INTERVENTIONS: Patients in the shoulder girdle group were randomised to manipulation or physiotherapy, and patients in the synovial group were randomised to corticosteroid injection, manipulation, or physiotherapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Duration of shoulder complaints analysed by survival analysis. RESULTS: In the shoulder girdle group duration of complaints was significantly shorter after manipulation compared with physiotherapy (P < 0.001). Also the number of patients reporting treatment failure was less with manipulation. In the synovial group duration of complaints was shortest after corticosteroid injection compared with manipulation and physiotherapy (P < 0.001). Drop out due to treatment failure was low in the injection group (17%) and high in the manipulation group (59%) and physiotherapy group (51%). CONCLUSIONS: For treating shoulder girdle disorders, manipulation seems to be the preferred treatment. For the synovial disorders, corticosteroid injection seems the best treatment.

Anesthetics, Local↗

Musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and shoulders in female sewing machine operators: prevalence, incidence, and prognosis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the occurrence and persistence of two restrictively defined neck-shoulder disorders among sewing machine operators. To assess factors associated with the development of neck-shoulder disorder and prognostic factors for remaining a case, when disorders were already present. METHODS: In an initial group of 243 sewing machine operators, 178 were followed up for 2 years. At baseline and at 1 and 2 years follow up the participants underwent a clinical examination of the neck and arms and filled in a questionnaire about current musculoskeletal complaints. Clinical criteria for two main neck-shoulder disorders were defined: rotator cuff tendinitis and myofascial pain syndrome. A baseline control group consisted of 357 women with varied non-repetitive work. RESULTS: At baseline the overall prevalence of myofascial pain syndrome and rotator cuff tendinitis was 15.2% and 5.8% among sewing machine operators compared with 9.0% and 2.2%, respectively, among controls. The presence of the disorders was strongly associated with a self perception of poor general health. Although myofascial pain syndrome showed a U shaped association with years as a sewing machine operator, rotator cuff tendinitis was absent among the newest recruits and present among 15% of the women with more than 20 years as a sewing machine operator. Besides years as a sewing machine operator, the risk of having a neck-shoulder disorder at baseline was significantly associated with high stress (prevalence ratio (PR)=2.54; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.28 to 5.05) when adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking, living alone with children, job strain, and social support from colleagues and supervisors. Only one of 13 participants with rotator cuff tendinitis at baseline recovered during follow up. Myofascial pain syndrome showed a much more fluctuating tendency. Low social support (RR 3.72; 95% CI 1.22 to 11.30) and smoking (RR 3.93; 95% CI 1.33 to 11.58) were associated with the development of neck-shoulder disorders, which was also associated with neck-shoulder pain score and living alone with children. CONCLUSION: Rotator cuff tendinitis showed a higher degree of persistence than myofascial pain syndrome. Both disorders highly influenced the perception of general health. Women who lived alone with children, were smokers, or experienced low support from colleagues and supervisors had a higher risk of contracting a neck-shoulder disorder.

Adult↗

Hemiplegic shoulder pain: implications for occupational therapy treatment.

BACKGROUND: Hemiplegic shoulder pain is common after stroke causing hemiplegia. It adversely affects the recovery of arm function and independence in activities of daily living. Subluxation, abnormal tone and limited range of motion or capsular constrictions have been reported as potential causes. Other factors such as rotator cuff tears, brachial plexus injury, shoulder-hand syndrome and other pre-existing pathological conditions may also be associated with hemiplegic shoulder pain. The etiology remains unclear, but hemiplegic shoulder pain may result from a combination of the above factors. SCOPE: This literature review examines the possible causes of hemiplegic shoulder pain and discusses the implications for occupational therapy treatment. Occupational therapy interventions include proper positioning, facilitation of movement through purposeful therapeutic activities, increasing passive range of motion, implementation of external supports and treatment of shoulder-hand syndrome. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Understanding the processes involved will assist with effective assessment, treatment and prevention of hemiplegic shoulder pain. This will facilitate clients' participation in rehabilitation programs and move them towards attainment of optimal function.

Hemiplegia↗

Responsiveness of isokinetic dynamometry parameters, pain and activity level scores to evaluate changes in patients with capsulitis of the shoulder.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the responsiveness to change of isokinetic dynamometry of the shoulder and to compare this responsiveness with outcome measures of pain and activity level. DESIGN: Responsiveness was evaluated as the change in outcome after intra-articular steroid injection in patients with capsulitis of the shoulder. Effect sizes of all outcome measures, quantified as standardized response means, were compared. Relationships between change scores of shoulder function and activities were assessed. SUBJECTS: Ten patients with unilateral capsulitis of the shoulder. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Muscle strength and active range of motion were measured by isokinetic dynamometry. We then calculated involved/uninvolved ratios of the maximal peak torques of abduction, adduction, external and internal rotation, active range of motion of abduction and external rotation. In addition, pain was scored using the numeric rating scale (NRS-101) and activity level was scored using the Shoulder Disability Questionnaire. RESULTS: The standardized response mean of all outcome parameters was equal to or greater than 0.8, except for active range of motion of abduction. No significant differences between the standardized response means were found. There is a significant correlation between the change scores of NRS-101 and Shoulder Disability Questionnaire. No significant correlations were found between the change scores of NRS-101 and Shoulder Disability Questionnaire on the one hand, and involved/ uninvolved ratios of peak torques and active range of motion on the other. CONCLUSIONS: Responsiveness of all outcome measures is good. Parameters of isokinetic dynamometry may provide additional information as compared with the usual outcome measures of pain and functional level.

Adult↗

Comparison of customized versus standard exercises in rehabilitation of shoulder disorders.

OBJECTIVE(S): (1) To compare the effectiveness of customized exercises with that of standard exercises for the treatment of patients with shoulder disorders. (2) To determine whether four weeks or eight weeks would be needed to see improvement in outcome measures. DESIGN: A single-blinded randomized clinical trial. SETTING: An outpatient physical therapy clinic affiliated with an academic institution. SUBJECTS: Thirty patients with shoulder disorders were tested and treated between February 2003 and December 2004. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to a customized or standard exercise group. Each patient first underwent a standardized physical therapy assessment. Based on the results of the assessment, a classification was determined and a classification-specific exercise programme was instructed to the patients in the customized exercise group. The standard exercise group, regardless of classification, received preselected standard exercises. Both groups were followed for eight weeks. MAIN MEASURES: Shoulder range of motion, strength, pain intensity and function were assessed three times (weeks 0, 4 and 8). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the customized and standard exercise groups in measures of shoulder range of motion, strength, pain intensity and function after four or eight weeks of exercise. Patients in both groups had significant improvements in shoulder strength, pain intensity and function. Significant improvements occurred at week 8, but not at week 4. CONCLUSION: The customized shoulder exercises did not provide additional benefit to our shoulder patients than the standard exercises.

Adult↗

Total shoulder replacement in rheumatoid disease: 7- to 13-year follow-up of 37 joints.

We made a prospective study of 58 consecutive Neer II total shoulder replacements in 49 rheumatoid patients. Cemented glenoid and press-fit humeral components had been used. After a mean follow-up of 9.5 years (7 to 13), 11 patients (15 shoulders) had died, one shoulder had been arthrodesed and five patients (five shoulders) had been lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 37 shoulders 29 were painfree or had only slight discomfort, four had pain on unusual activity, and four had moderate or severe pain. There were satisfactory improvements in the mean range of active elevation (53 degrees to 75 degrees) and external rotation (5 degrees to 38 degrees); satisfactory performance of the activities of daily living had been maintained throughout follow-up. Radiographs showed loosening in ten shoulders of nine glenoid and nine humeral components but of these only three had significant symptoms. Three loose glenoid components and two loose humeral components required revision. We consider that the Neer total shoulder replacement provides a reasonable medium to long-term outcome in rheumatoid arthritis, but recommend that the humeral component should be routinely cemented.

Adult↗

[Muscle efficiency in total shoulder prosthesis implantation: dependence on position of the humeral head and rotator cuff function].

Modern shoulder prostheses permit an anatomic reconstruction of the joint, although the biomechanical advantages are not proven. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between position of the humeral head and function of the shoulder prosthesis (muscle efficiency). Shoulder elevation-motion and rotator cuff defects were simulated in vitro in a robot-assisted shoulder simulator. The EPOCA Custom Offset shoulder prosthesis (Argomedical AG, Cham, CH) was implanted in seven normal shoulders (77 +/- 20 kg, 55 +/- 14 years). Active elevation was simulated by hydraulic cylinders, and scapulothoratic motion by a specially programmed industrial robot. Muscle efficiency (elevation-angle/muscle-force of the deltoid muscle) was measured in anatomic (ANA), medialised (MED) and lateralised (LAT) positions of the humeral head, with or without rotator cuff muscle deficiency. Medialisation increased efficiency by 0.03 +/- 0.04 deg/N (p = 0.022), lateralisation decreased it by 0.04 +/- 0.06 deg/N (p = 0.009). Supraspinatus muscle deficiency increased the deltoid force required to elevate the arm, and thus decreased efficiency (ANA p = 0.091, MED p = 0.018, LAT p = 0.028). The data confirm that the position of the humeral head affects the mechanics of total shoulder arthroplasty. Medialisation increases efficiency of the deltoid muscle and may prove useful in compensating isolated supraspinatus muscle deficiency. Lateralisation, in contrast, leads to an unfavorable situation.

Adult↗

The relationship between motion of the shoulder and the stated ability to perform activities of daily living.

One hundred and twenty-five patients who were seen because of symptoms related to the shoulder completed a questionnaire regarding their ability to perform activities of daily living. The ability was graded, and the grades were related to the range of motion of the shoulder with use of correlation analysis and simple and multiple linear regression analyses. All but two activities of daily living were found to correlate significantly (p < 0.001) with at least one range of motion of the shoulder. The strongest correlations (r > 0.5, Spearman rank correlation) were found for activities that are performed regularly by most patients, such as using a comb or washing the back. Less of a correlation (r < or = 0.5) was found for activities in which pain might constitute a large element or that are less specific, such as sleeping on the affected shoulder or performing work-related activities. The stated ability to perform various activities of daily living is part of a number of scoring systems for shoulder function. This implies that the ability to perform these activities reflects, among other factors, the range of motion of the shoulder. The relationships found in the present report validate various activities of daily living as measures of shoulder function and may help in the design of follow-up questionnaires.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Determining the relationship of the axillary nerve to the shoulder joint capsule from an arthroscopic perspective.

BACKGROUND: The axillary nerve is out of the field of view during shoulder arthroscopy, but certain procedures require manipulation of capsular tissue that can threaten the function or integrity of the nerve. We studied fresh cadavers to identify the course of the axillary nerve in relation to the glenoid rim from an intra-articular perspective and to determine how close the nerve travels in relation to the glenoid rim and the inferior glenohumeral ligament. METHODS: We dissected nine whole-body fresh-tissue shoulder joints and exposed the axillary nerve through a window in the inferior glenohumeral ligament. Then we cut coronal sections through the glenoid fossa of ten unembalmed, frozen shoulder specimens after the axillary nerve had been stained with Evans blue dye. All specimens were studied with the joint secured in the lateral decubitus position used for shoulder arthroscopy. RESULTS: Microsurgical dissection through the inferior glenohumeral ligament from within the joint capsule revealed the axillary nerve as it traversed the quadrangular space. In each dissection, the teres minor branch was the closest to the glenoid rim. The coronal sectioning of the unembalmed shoulder specimens demonstrated that the closest point between the axillary nerve and the glenoid rim was at the 6 o'clock position on the inferior glenoid rim. At this position, the average distance between the axillary nerve and the glenoid rim was 12.4 mm. The axillary nerve lay, throughout its course, at an average of 2.5 mm from the inferior glenohumeral ligament. CONCLUSIONS: We used two novel approaches to map the axillary nerve from an intra-articular perspective. Our analysis of the position of the nerve with use of these methods provides the shoulder arthroscopist with essential information regarding the location, route, and morphology of the nerve as it passes inferior to the glenoid rim and shoulder capsule.

Aged↗

Analysis of transfusion predictors in shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: We are not aware of any previous study that has examined predictive factors for blood transfusion after shoulder arthroplasty. We analyzed the association between clinical factors and the need for postoperative blood transfusion and documented the use and waste of predonated blood in a group of patients managed with shoulder arthroplasty. METHODS: A retrospective study of 119 patients who underwent 124 shoulder arthroplasties (including eighty-seven primary uncomplicated total shoulder arthroplasties, twenty-seven revision or complicated primary total shoulder arthroplasties, and ten hemiarthroplasties) from 2001 to 2004 was performed. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine which clinical variables were predictive of transfusion. RESULTS: A postoperative transfusion was received after thirty-one arthroplasties (25%). The strongest predictor of blood transfusion after shoulder arthroplasty was the preoperative hemoglobin level (likelihood ratio test = 37.8, p < 0.0001). Patients with a preoperative hemoglobin level of between 110 and 130 g/L had a five times greater estimated risk of transfusion than those with a level of >130 g/L (p < 0.001). Gender, body mass index, preoperative diagnosis, comorbid conditions, use of anticoagulants or aspirin, autologous predonation status, type of anesthesia, operative time, and decrease in hemoglobin or hematocrit were not predictors of blood transfusion. One hundred and two (78%) of the 131 predonated autologous units were discarded. Patients with a preoperative hemoglobin level of >130 g/L had the highest percentage of wasted units (90%; fifty-five of sixty-one). Preoperative autologous blood donation did not eliminate the risk of allogeneic blood transfusion in autologous donors. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative hemoglobin level is the strongest predictor of blood transfusion after shoulder surgery, and individuals with a preoperative hemoglobin level of <110 g/L have the highest risk of transfusion. On the basis of these findings, we do not recommend autologous predonation for individuals with a preoperative hemoglobin level of >130 g/L, to avoid unnecessary expense and waste.

Adult↗

Anterior shoulder dislocations in sports.

Anterior shoulder dislocations, primary and recurrent, are among the most disabling injuries to the shoulder that can plague the athlete. The diagnosis is easily made by the following: the physical appearance of the shoulder; loss of capability by the athlete to internally and externally rotate the shoulder with the elbow at his side; by evaluating the mechanism of injury; and x-rays. Anterior shoulder dislocations should be reduced as soon as possible after diagnosis, to minimise the stretching effect on the neurovascular structures while the humeral head is dislocated. The reduction is not done to allow the athlete to return immediately to sport. Use of a simple traction method in the first 10 to 15 minutes following the injury will result in a successful reduction in the vast majority of dislocations. Reduction of the humeral head can be confirmed by the athlete regaining the capability to internally and externally rotate his shoulder with his elbow at his side. Following reduction, the athlete should begin a treatment regimen which includes a restrengthening programme emphasising the muscles of internal rotation and adduction plus rigid restrictions of activities until the goals of the rehabilitation programme are satisfied. The author's experience with this treatment regimen with athletes at the United States Naval Academy, has shown a decrease of the recurrence rate of primary anterior shoulder dislocations to 25% versus the 80% recurrence rate we have become familiar with from studies done which did not stress specific rehabilitation programmes. The athlete should also be instructed in a self-performed traction method for reduction should a redislocation occur, to minimise the stretching effect on the neurovascular structures and allow relief from discomfort. Surgery for primary and recurrent anterior dislocations should only be considered when the athlete fails to achieve the desired goals after participating in a specific, progressive, adequate rehabilitation programme.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of the passive function of the biceps brachii muscle-tendon unit in limitation of shoulder and elbow joint ranges of motion in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the passive contribution of the biceps brachii muscle-tendon unit to the limits of elbow joint extension during shoulder joint flexion in horses. SAMPLE POPULATION: Normal right forelimb specimens from 6 Thoroughbred cadavers. PROCEDURE: Specimens included the scapula, humerus, radius-ulna, biceps brachii muscle-tendon unit, and stabilizers of the shoulder and elbow joints. Specimens were mounted to a rigid board by transfixation pins through the humerus and instrumented for mechanical manipulation of the limb and joint angle and load measurements. Flexion and extension limits of shoulder and elbow joint ranges of motion were measured in each joint separately, while the other joint was fixed. Measurements were made before and after transection of the biceps brachii muscle-tendon unit. RESULTS: The biceps brachii muscle-tendon unit limited elbow joint extension when the shoulder joint was fixed in flexion, limited shoulder joint flexion when the elbow joint was fixed in extension, and inhibited shoulder joint extension to a lesser degree when the elbow joint was fixed at midrange angles of 75 degrees to 90 degrees. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinical manipulation of the elbow joint into hyperextension during shoulder joint flexion is indicative of biceps brachii injury.

Animals↗

Impingement relief test: an adjunctive procedure to traditional assessment of shoulder impingement syndrome.

Shoulder impingement syndrome, a common disorder directly related to the unique anatomy, mobility, and biomechanics of the shoulder girdle complex, is a condition that results from repetitive microtrauma to the structures within the subacromial space, primarily the supraspinatus, the long head of the biceps, and the subacromial bursa. Several factors contribute to shoulder impingement syndrome, including rotator cuff weakness, capsular tightness, poor scapulohumeral rhythm, and muscle imbalance of the scapular upward rotation force couple. This article briefly reviews the biomechanics of the shoulder girdle complex and the pathology of shoulder impingement syndrome. The author introduces an adjunctive assessment procedure that assists the clinician in isolating the primary tissue and the structures involved with shoulder impingement syndrome. Conservative treatment management can then be directed to the involved contractile and/or noncontractile tissue involved with shoulder impingement syndrome.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Clinical measurement of head and shoulder posture variables.

A reliable method that is practical for clinical use for measuring head posture in standing has not been demonstrated in the literature. The purposes of this study were: 1) to produce a reliable method for measuring sagittal plane head and shoulder posture that is practical for clinical use and 2) to perform a pilot study to compare means between a nonpatient sample and a sample of people who have a history of recurring cervical pain. A method of measuring sagittal plane postural alignment of the head and shoulder in relationship to the lateral malleolus was developed using a carpenter's tri-square with a line level attached to the horizontal arm and a goniometer with a line level attached to the horizontal arm. Horizontal measures were taken with the tri-square from a vertical reference point to the tragus of the ear, to the shoulder axis, and to the lateral malleolus. Angular measures were taken with the goniometer of C7-tragus with the horizontal and tragus-corner of the eye with the horizontal. A reliability study was performed by two therapists with 15 non-patient subjects. Intraclass correlation coefficients measuring interrater reliability for horizontal and angular measures were as follows: 1) tragus to lateral malleolus: R = .87; 2) shoulder to lateral malleolus: R = .91;3) tragus to shoulder: R = .7;4) angle tragus-eye-horizon: R = .68; and 5) angle C7-tragus-horizon: R = .34. In the pilot study, 41 nonpatient subjects (11 males and 30 females, 20-45 years) and 10 patient subjects with cervical pain (one male and nine females, 23-43 years) were measured. Means calculated for horizontal distances (in cm) were: 1) tragus to lateral malleolus (nonpatients: 8.14; patients: 6.65);2) shoulder to lateral malleolus (nonpatients: 5.47; patients: 5.98); and 3) tragus to shoulder (nonpatients: 2.78; patients: .56). Means calculated for angular measures were: 1) tragus-eye-horizon (nonpatients: 18.78 degrees; patients: 21.57 degrees) and 2) C7-tragus-horizon (nonpatients: 49.34 degrees; patients: 49.43 degrees). No statistically significant differences were found between the two samples in this pilot study using an independent two-sample t test. This study demonstrates a reliable and practical method for taking postural measurements in the clinic and describes a pilot study for comparing a patient and a nonpatient sample.

Adult↗

The isokinetic torque curve of shoulder instability in high school baseball pitchers.

Athletes with shoulder problems are commonly referred to orthopaedic and sports physical therapists for rehabilitation. Many of these problems include some form of shoulder instability. The purpose of this study was to generate an isokinetic torque curve that is representative of the shoulder impingement syndrome that may affect high school baseball pitchers. A sample of 241 subjects, each diagnosed with an impingement syndrome in the right shoulder, was tested using a Cybex II+ dynamometer configured to duplicate the orthopaedic loose-packed and plane of the scapula positions of the shoulder complex. The subjects were tested concentrically across five maximal repetitions of internal and external rotation at the speeds of 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 degree/sec; graphic records were collected at 60 degrees/sec. Descriptively, testing revealed a distinct isokinetic torque curve for the impingement syndrome compared with the noninvolved shoulder. This information might serve as a useful complement to traditional clinical procedures for the diagnosis of the shoulder impingement syndrome.

Adolescent↗

Shoulder strength and range of motion in female amateur-league tennis players.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional. OBJECTIVES: To compare the strength and range of motion of the dominant and nondominant shoulders of adult female amateur tennis players. The secondary purpose of the study was to examine whether there were any differences in the observed relationships between women with a past history of shoulder pain and those with no history of shoulder pathology. BACKGROUND: Information on characteristics of the shoulder in amateur female tennis players is scarce, as research has concentrated on highly skilled or male players, despite the cumulative prevalence of shoulder pain in this group. METHODS AND MEASURES: Fifty-one female competitive, amateur tennis players (average age, 45 years) were tested bilaterally for shoulder internal/external rotation passive range of motion and isokinetic concentric strength. RESULTS: Shoulder range of motion and strength ratios were comparable between sides. In the dominant arm, the total rotational range of motion was 221 degrees, with an internal to external rotator peak torque ratio of 1.05. External rotator strength was significantly greater in the dominant arm of individuals with no history of pain. CONCLUSIONS: Range of motion and strength adaptations widely reported in highly skilled tennis players were not apparent in amateur female players. In assessment and management, clinicians should regard the amateur female tennis player as a separate entity from the highly skilled player.

Adult↗

Non-migrainous headache, neck or shoulder pain, and migraine--differences in association with background factors in a city population.

OBJECTIVE: To study the pattern of association of background factors with reported migraine, non-migrainous headache, and neck or shoulder pain. DESIGN: In a cross-sectional survey the population of the municipality of Tromsø between 20 and 56 years of age was screened for risk factors of different diseases. Everybody attending the screening was given a questionnaire on psychosocial, lifestyle, and health factors. The odds ratios of reporting migraine, non-migrainous headache, and neck or shoulder pain were estimated by logistic regression for several background factors. SETTING: A population-based study conducted in the municipality of Tromsø, northern Norway. PARTICIPANTS: In a survey of risk factors for diseases in 1987/86, all the subjects between 20 and 56 years of age in the municipality of Tromsø were invited. The attenders were given a questionnaire about lifestyle, health, and psychosocial factors. Of the 18105 people who were given a questionnaire, 8537 men and 9162 women (97.7%) answered the questions about "non-migrainous headache", 8533 men and 9117 women (97.5%) answered the questions about neck or shoulder pain, and 8024 men and 7690 women (86.8%) the questions about migraine. MAIN RESULTS: "Self estimated health" had the strongest association with all three target conditions although the strength of the association between headache and neck or shoulder pain was far higher than that of migraine. The reporting of headache and neck or shoulder pain was associated with psychosocial factors, in contrast to migraine. The less educated women were prone to both headache and neck or shoulder pain, while there was no association between migraine and length of education. The explored lifestyle factors were not associated with any of the target conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore that migraine is reported by people with psychosocial backgrounds other than those of people who report chronic headache and neck or shoulder pain.

Acute Disease↗

Painful shoulders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Prevalence, clinical and radiological features.

The shoulder joints of 105 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were examined. The patients were on average 62 years old and their mean RA duration 17 years. Ninety-six patients (91%) reported shoulder problems. Thirty-three patients had actual severe painful shoulder disability. The acromioclavicular joint was clinically tender in 36 shoulders and subacromial hypertrophic bursitis was recorded for 22 shoulders. One hundred and sixteen shoulders in 61 of the patients with shoulder pain were examined radiologically and classified according to the Larsen system. With increasing duration of the RA there was a progress of destructive changes and a decrease in the range of motion, indicating that intervention with surgical procedures may be warranted.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗