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Measuring 3D In-vivo Shoulder Kinematics using Biplanar Videoradiography
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Glenohumeral Joint Pain Referral Patterns: A Descriptive Study
David J Kennedy1, Ryan Mattie1, Quang Nguyen2
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stanford University, Redwood City, California.
Pain Medicine (Malden, Mass.)
|July 18, 2015
Summary
Pain from the glenohumeral joint (GHJ) commonly refers to the shoulder and upper arm. Less frequently, it radiates to the neck, forearm, or hand, with specific patterns excluding certain diagnoses.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Pain Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Pain diagrams aid in understanding pain origins.
- This study investigates glenohumeral joint (GHJ) pain referral patterns using diagnostic injections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine potential GHJ pain referral patterns.
- To map pain distribution from the GHJ.
Main Methods:
- 168 GHJ injections in 162 patients with pre- and post-injection pain assessment.
- Patients provided pain diagrams before image-guided injections with local anesthetic.
- Composite pain maps were generated for responders and non-responders.
Main Results:
- 100% of responders reported anterior/posterior shoulder and upper arm pain.
- 18% of responders experienced neck pain; 6% reported scapular pain.
- Forearm and hand pain occurred in 8-9% of responders; specific combinations excluded 100% relief.
Conclusions:
- Anterior/posterior shoulder and upper arm pain are primary GHJ referral sites.
- Lateral neck referral is occasional; forearm/hand referral is less common.
- Scapular or medial neck pain rarely originates from the GHJ.
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