Capillary Resistance in the Shoulder-Hand Syndrome and the Effect of Anesthetic Therapy

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Abstract
Summary Capillary resistance (CR) on the lowest third of the internal brachial region was determined by the suction method for both arms in 23 cases of the shoulder-hand syndrome. In 18 cases the CR was found to be reduced on the more affected side. On an average the CR was 1.8 cmHg. lower in the affected arm. The shoulder-hand syndrome had thus apparently induced a decrease in the CR. The patients were given a total of 40 xylocaine infiltrations into the scapular region of the more affected shoulder. The CR of both upper extremities was measured before the infiltration and then 3—6, about 24, and about 48 hours, after it. An increased CR was noted for the treated arm in 33 cases of 40. On the whole, it was highest approximately 24 hours after the infiltrations, the CR level being then, as compared with the symmetric point, on an average, 2.4 cmHg. higher than before the infiltration. Twenty-three infiltrations of xylocaine were given into the shoulders of twenty healthy persons, used as controls, and determinations of CR were carried out as in the original series. The anesthetic treatment was not found to affect the CR at all. Thus, the local anesthesia of the tender spots had evidently increased the CR, which before was reduced as a result from the shoulder-hand syndrome.

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