What is the shoulder hand syndrome?
The shoulder hand syndrome is much milder than the palmar fasciitis syndrome. This syndrome is most often described with ovarian carcinoma or with lung cancer localized to the superior sulcus (Pancoast tumor). Pain in the shoulder with loss of motion may result in adhesive capsulitis, and the hand of the involved side becomes puffy and stiff with vasomotor instability. Conventional treatment for CRPS provides variable relief.
This term was coined by Dr. Otto Steinbrocker in 1947 to describe the concomitant shoulder involvement seen with hand CRPS.
The ipsilateral shoulder may become diffusely painful, develop limited range of motion in all directions, and may progress to adhesive capsulitis.
