Background: Radiation treatment for patients with acute or subacute tendonitis or bursitis of the shoulder once commonplace has been mostly supplanted by antiinflammatory drug treatment.
Patients and methods: 106 patients with clinically evident disease of PHS were treated between January 1987 and May 1991. 73/106 patients had a continuous follow-up. 16/73 patients showed typical symptoms on both shoulders: therefore a total of 89 shoulders were examined in this investigation. A daily dose of 0.5 Gy was given for 3 times a week and a total dose of 3.0 Gy. After 8 weeks a second treatment course was performed. In follow-up the subjective (pain) and objective (limitation of abduction) symptoms were classified in 3 grade scales.
Results: A marked pain reduction and an improved mobility (abduction of at least 20 degrees more than before radiation) could be observed in 72/89 shoulders (81%). 44/89 shoulders (49%) showed an excellent response and were completely free of pain and impairment of motion.
Conclusion: Radiotherapy of acute or subacute Periarthritis humeroscapularis is a very effective treatment if radiation starts within the first year of symptoms and if it is supported by physiotherapy.