On the Etiology of Periarthritis Humero-Scapularis

Abstract

One hundred years ago, Duplay described “Periarthrite scapulo-humerale” (3). Since then, numerous authors have shown that trauma with concomitant degeneration of the tendons belonging to m. supraspinatus and caput long. bicipitis are the predominant causes. In this connection, the formation of osteophytes in the vicinity of these tendons play a decisive role because of local, mechanical irritation. Thus, the pathogenesis would appear to be rather well established but in most cases, the etiology is still obscure. By using own cases, the present author intends to show that the above-mentioned osteophytes are part of a general growth tendency in the supporting connective and skeletal tissues, which is particularly pronounced in postmenopausal women. The condition could, by way of suggestion, be referred to as involutional acromegaly. The remarkable age and sex distribution of the periarthritis, as well as its clear connection with other diseases in the connective tissue appearing as tendovaginitis and some endocrine disturbances, such as diabetes and thyroid dysfunction, could thus be explained against this background.