MLS® laser therapy treatment of shoulder pain: a controlled comparative study

L. Corti
Scientific Report MLS®, 2004

The term “periarthritis” is commonly used to describe a range of painful situations in the shoulder region, including the impingement syndrome, acute and chronic calcific tendonitis, subacromial bursitis and adhesive capsulitis. These are complex and multifactorial clinical scenarios, which cause pain and reduced mobility. These pathologies are most commonly found in classic cases where the limb is subjected to excessive strain, either during work or following intense physical activity. Periarthritis is a strain-related pathology that affects the extra rotary muscles of the upper limb (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor) or the synovial bursae (subacromial, subcoracoid and subscapular). In some athletes, the shoulder is put through considerable strain and may be subject to repeated micro traumas. In the long term, these may determine a painful syndrome that is often the cause of a suspension of sports or work activity. The pain is frequently localized on the anterior/lateral face of the shoulder, tending to spread along the front face of the arm. Following the application of pressure, a strong pain in correspondence to the bicipital groove may arise. The painful symptoms also worsen when the joint is moved. In order to understand how the different clinical scenarios develop, we need to bear in mind some important anatomical/functional aspects.