Although post-stroke shoulder pain is a common medical complication among the stroke population, pseudotumor deltoideus which is non-malignant is rarely seen. This case report demonstrates a thorough history, physical examination followed by the relevant investigations are essential when managing a common post-stroke complication. We postulate that pseudotumor deltoideus is likely a pre-existing asymptomatic variant in our patient before the stroke and has presented symptomatically after the stroke due to the associated neurological and musculoskeletal impairments. As post-stroke shoulder pain is associated with unfavourable outcomes, it is important to recognise the underlying causes of post-stroke shoulder pain early and institute prompt appropriate treatment.
Twenty-six patients with frozen shoulder syndrome (Stage 2 and 3) were included in this study conducted at Dr. Kariadi General Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia and randomly allocated into 2 groups: 40 mg triamcinolone intra-articular injection and triamcinolone oral tablets. The result showed that triamcinolone intra-articular injection group "cured" rate was 5.8 times higher at week one compared to the triamcinolone tablet group. Sixty-two percent of the cases with triamcinolone intra-articular injection achieved their "cured" condition after one week of therapy, compared with only 14% of the triamcinolone tablets group. We conclude that, intra-articular corticosteroid injection provide faster improvement compared to oral route.
Post-stroke shoulder pain is associated with either a peripheral or central pathology. However, most of the time, it is challenging to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the suggested pathology and shoulder pain reported. We report a 66 year-old man who developed a right hemiplegic shoulder pain two months post stroke with initial investigations suggestive of peripheral pathologies. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment did not improve his shoulder pain. Later he developed complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) of the right hand and the initial shoulder pain subsequently relieved following resolution of the CRPS.