Painful Shoulder Syndrome

Abstract

Aim: A painful shoulder is between the ten most frequent causes of consultation to a physiatrist. It affects a large percent of the economically active population. 5.74% of the new cases referred to the physiatrist of a metropolitan clinic during the year 2008, corresponded with a painful shoulder. The aim of this study was to investigate how the painful shoulder appears in this population. This includes the study of the demographic variables of the consulting population and the treatments that were used.
Methods: We reviewed 171 medical clinical records retrospectively of patients that consulted for a painful for shoulder shoulder syndrome during 2008 in the physiatry service of a Metropolitan health clinic that serves a population of 400 000 inhabitants from rural, urban marginal and urban areas with a second level of medical attention (specialized medical attention). Indicators like demographic variables were registered together with diagnostic and clinical evaluations, diagnostic imaging and treatments used.
Results: The average age of the patients was 55 years, 74.3% were females and in 45% the right side was involved. Frequent associated diseases were diabetes (20.9%) and psychiatric diseases (15%). A relationship between shoulder pain and fibromyalgia was found (4.3%). Treatment accomplished quality goals with prescription of exercise, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and infiltration as proposed by other authors.
Conclusion: This population followed demographic and clinic characteristics described by other authors for shoulder pain (age, gender, shoulder side). This is the first national research that shows a relationship between fibromyalgia and shoulder pain. Physical examination register could improve. Quality treatment follows international parameters