Ultrasonographic findings of shoulder disorders in patients with Parkinson's disease

The prevalence of a history of shoulder complaints is higher in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) than in healthy individuals. The aims of this study were to evaluate shoulder disease in PD patients with ultrasonography (US) and to identify the relationship between the US findings of shoulder disease and the motor signs in patients with PD. Thirty-three PD patients completed a shoulder disability questionnaire, a musculoskeletal examination, and US of the shoulder. Twenty-two patients had abnormal US findings. Tendon tearing was the most common abnormal US finding (22/22), and the supraspinatus tendon was the most common site involved (15/22). Patients with tendon tearing had a significantly longer duration of disease than patients without tendon tearing (P = 0.027). Patients with adhesive capsulitis had a significantly higher rigidity score than patients without adhesive capsulitis (P = 0.035). Disease duration and rigidity were the contributing factors for the development of tendon tearing and adhesive capsulitis, respectively. (C) 2008 Movement Disorder Society.