Long-term results of radiotherapy for periarthritis of the shoulder: a retrospective evaluation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To evaluate retrospectively the results of radiotherapy for periarthritis of the shoulder

METHODS:

In 1983-2004, 141 patients were treated, all had attended at least one follow-up examination. 19% had had pain for several weeks, 66% for months and 14% for years. Shoulder motility was impaired in 137/140 patients. Nearly all patients had taken oral analgesics, 81% had undergone physiotherapy, five patients had been operated on, and six had been irradiated. Radiotherapy was applied using regular anterior-posterior opposing portals and Co-60 gamma rays or 4 MV photons. 89% of the patients received a total dose of 6 Gy (dose/fraction of 1 Gy twice weekly, the others had total doses ranging from 4 to 8 Gy. The patients and the referring doctors were given written questionnaires in order to obtain long-term results. The mean duration of follow-up was 6.9 years [0-20 years].

RESULTS:

During the first follow-up examination at the end of radiotherapy 56% of the patients reported pain relief and improvement of motility. After in median 4.5 months the values were 69 and 89%, after 3.9 years 73% and 73%, respectively. There were virtually no side effects. In the questionnaires, 69% of the patients reported pain relief directly after radiotherapy, 31% up to 12 weeks after radiotherapy. 56% of the patients stated that pain relief had lasted for "years", in further 12% at least for "months".

CONCLUSION:

Low-dose radiotherapy for periarthropathy of the shoulder was highly effective and yielded long-lasting improvement of pain and motility without side effects.

• Authors: Marcus Niewald, Jochen Fleckenstein, Susanne Naumann, Christian Ruebe
• Journal: Radiation oncology (London, England) (Radiat Oncol) Vol. 2 Pg. 34 (Sep 14 2007) ISSN: 1748-717X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 17868446 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Analgesics

Topics

• Analgesics (therapeutic use)
• Calcinosis (etiology, radiotherapy)
• Dose Fractionation, Radiation
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Motor Activity
• Pain (drug therapy, etiology, radiotherapy)
• Patient Satisfaction
• Periarthritis (physiopathology, radiotherapy)
• Radiotherapy Dosage
• Retrospective Studies
• Shoulder Joint (physiopathology, radiation effects)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Treatment Outcome