Shoulder pain, also called deltoid pain, is an extremely common problem. The many possibilities are owed to the anatomy involved in allowing your shoulder to do what it does.
Shoulder pain can be due to osteoarthritis, muscle tears, tendonitis, and several other causes. Urticarial vasculitis can be difficult to treat, so a second opinion from a specialist doctor is highly recommended.The shoulder is the most flexible joint in your body, and given the number of everyday activities it’s involved in-from brushing your hair to reaching up into the cupboard-it’s easy to see why shoulder pain is something you’d want to get to the bottom of right away. Your doctor may be able to adjust your dosage or offer different treatment options. If you have concerns with your treatment plan, speak up. Remember, it’s up to you to be your own advocate. To get the most out of your doctor visits, make a list of questions beforehand and bring along a supportive friend or family member to provide a second set of ears and take notes. It may be helpful to keep a health care journal to track medications, symptoms, test results and notes from doctor appointments in one place. Get to know the members of your health care team. The best way to manage your disease is to actively partner with your health care providers. In addition to a primary care provider, patients with urticarial vasculitis may need to see the following: dermatologist (skin) rheumatologist (joints, muscles, immune system) pulmonologist (lungs) nephrologist (kidneys) immunologist (allergies) or others as needed. Urticarial vasculitis can be a difficult-to-treat, chronic illness that can cause serious health problems, so ongoing medical care is essential.Įffective treatment of urticarial vasculitis may require the coordinated efforts and ongoing care of a team of medical providers and specialists. For more severe cases, corticosteroids such as prednisone and/or other powerful drugs that suppress the immune system may be prescribed. When the disease primarily affects the skin, antihistamines or anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen may relieve symptoms. Treatment depends on the extent of symptoms and organ involvement. Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis refers to low levels of complement proteins and is more severe, having systemic involvement typically affecting the joints, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and eyes.Normocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis refers to a normal level of complement proteins and is usually less severe, having little if any systemic (affecting multiple organs) involvement.There are two categories of urticarial vasculitis named for the level of “complement proteins” in the blood, which play a role in the immune system. Depending on the form of urticarial vasculitis, other organ systems may be affected.
This form of vasculitis primarily affects the small vessels of the skin, causing red patches and hives that can itch, burn and leave skin discoloration. Urticarial vasculitis is among a family of rare diseases characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels, which can restrict blood flow and damage vital organs and tissues.