Discussion on the Painful Shoulder

Three or four definite types are separated from among the many examples of painful shoulder and their treatment is debated:— Adhesions around the Joint.—Characterized by limitation of movement at the shoulder-joint, through the outer half of its range. Curable by manipulative surgery. Tendonitis.—Characterized by painful movements through a small arc in the middle of the normal range. Curable in the hyperacute patient by operation, in the acute by rest in partial abduction with the assistance of time. Osteo-arthritis of the Shoulder-joint.—Characterized by painful extremes of movement. Incurable but capable of alleviation by physiotherapy. Subacute Arthritis of the Shoulder-joint.—Characterized by muscle spasm at the commencement of movement. To be treated by rest on an abduction splint, and the eradication of septic foci.