ABNORMAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL SUGGESTING SYMPATHETIC DYSFUNCTION IN THE SHOULDER SKIN OF PATIENTS WITH FROZEN SHOULDER

摘要: In view of the possibility that sympathetically mediated pain could be responsible for frozen shoulder symptoms we compared skin vasomotor control in 11 patients with and 17 similarly aged normal subjects without pain. Using computer-assisted thermography temperature was assessed before following a 'cold challenge' which consisted 15 degrees C cold pack being held against 60 sec. Both prior to immediately challenge temperatures tended lower patients. During 10-min rewarming phase, however, between-group difference increased became significant at 0.05 level. These abnormalities clearly suggest sympathetic dysfunction dermatome subserving sensation from affected shoulder. Whether these are primary or secondary remains unresolved.