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Overview of soft tissue rheumatic disorders

INTRODUCTION

Musculoskeletal symptoms arising from disturbances in soft tissue, without arthritis, are extremely common. These soft tissue disorders may be divided into several broad categories:

  • Regional myofascial pain disorder
  • Fasciitis
  • Tendinitis
  • Bursitis
  • Enthesitis
  • Structural disorders
  • Neurovascular entrapment disorders
  • Complex regional pain syndromes
  • Generalized pain disorders

Many of these disorders occur in the absence of systemic disease and some are a consequence of chronic repetitive low grade trauma and overuse. Many are self-limiting and respond to conservative measures.

SOFT TISSUE RHEUMATIC DISORDERS

This topic will provide a brief overview of soft tissue rheumatic disorders. More detailed discussion of these disorders is presented separately (see appropriate topic reviews).

Regional myofascial pain — Regional myofascial pain has been defined as "hyperirritable spots, usually within a taut band of skeletal muscle or in the muscle's fascia that is painful on compression and can give rise to characteristic referred pain, tenderness, and autonomic phenomena" [1]. (See "Differential diagnosis of fibromyalgia", section on 'Myofascial pain syndromes'.)

                

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Literature review current through: Apr 2013. | This topic last updated: Aug 17, 2011.
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