Introducing Shoulder blade-Hand-Syndrome - A Differential Diagnosis of the Painful Paretic Hand

Background: A painful paresis of the hand is a symptom frequently encountered in clinical practice. Based on a consistent coincidence of typical clinical symptoms of the hand with certain tissue alterations of the shoulder strap musculature, a new clinical syndrome - the Shoulder blade-Hand-Syndrome (SHS) - is introduced. Appropriate differential diagnosis regarding clinically similar, but pathophysiologically different, syndromes - like, for instance, the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) - is of crucial importance. Aim: Introducing and establishing a new clinical syndrome - the Shoulder blade-Hand-Syndrome (SHS). Methods: Analysis of about 150 clinical cases observed over the course of five years, applying criteria of trigger point medicine. Results: A certain, clinically-pathophysiologically consistent and uniform kind of painful hand paresis may be subsumed under the term "Shoulder blade-Hand-Syndrome" (SHS). Discussion: Definition of diagnostic criteria and therapeutic strategies pertaining to SHS. Conclusion: The distinct co-emergence of soft tissue alterations of the shoulder and typical symptoms of the hand, as well as the response to a clearly defined therapy calls for a separate classification of this clinical complex as "Shoulder blade-Hand-Syndrome". This syndrome can efficiently be treated with a combination of therapeutic local anaesthesia, acupuncture, and additional medication.