Differentiating Upper Arm Muscle Strain from Periarthritis of the Shoulder
Disease description:
I have recently experienced pain in my upper arm, and I'm unsure whether it's a muscle strain or shoulder periarthritis. An upper arm muscle strain typically has a clear history of trauma, with pain concentrated at the site of injury and significant limitation of movement. Periarthritis of the shoulder, on the other hand, usually presents as chronic pain with a gradual limitation of shoulder movement. I would like to know how I can accurately differentiate between an upper arm muscle strain and shoulder periarthritis. What are the distinguishing features between the two?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
There is a distinction between upper arm muscle strain and periarthritis of the shoulder.
1. Etiology: An upper arm muscle strain is typically caused by excessive stretching of the muscle or injury due to external force. It commonly occurs during sports activities, such as improper weightlifting or throwing movements, or when warm-up exercises are inadequate.
Periarthritis of the shoulder, on the other hand, is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation and adhesion of tissues surrounding the shoulder joint. Its pathogenesis may be related to immune responses, metabolic abnormalities, and accumulated microtrauma in the shoulder area.
2. Clinical Presentation: Upper arm muscle strain presents with localized redness, swelling, and pain, which may be accompanied by limited movement. In contrast, periarthritis of the shoulder manifests as pain, stiffness, and functional impairment around the shoulder joint, with pain potentially radiating to the upper arm and hand.
3. Diagnostic Methods: The diagnosis of upper arm muscle strain is made through detailed history taking, physical examination, and imaging studies when necessary to determine the extent and location of the injury.
Definitive diagnosis of periarthritis of the shoulder is usually based on clinical findings, including measurement of shoulder joint range of motion, and the exclusion of other conditions causing shoulder pain, such as cervical spondylosis and rotator cuff injury.
