Clinical Pattern Recognition - Shoulder Pain

From anatomy to discovering the patient!

• Primary shoulder dislocation peaks in the second and sixth decade

• 98% of cases, shoulder displaces anteriorly

• 70% of people who have dislocated can expect to dislocate again within 2 years of the initial injury

• Sub-acromial pain syndrome accounts for 44% to 60% of all conditions that cause shoulder pain and is the most frequent cause of visits to a physician’s office

• See more prevalence information in the Clinical Pattern Recognition: Orthopaedics app here

Meet the 5 common shoulder pain patients from the Shoulder Pain and Mobility Deficit Clinical Practice Guidelines and more!

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Clinical Pattern Recognition

Click on the pain pattern to learn about the patients and develop your clinical patterns!

1. Adhesive Capsulitis or Frozen Shoulder - Shoulder pain and mobility deficits (1-minute video)

2. Labral tears, SLAP lesions, Bankart lesions, Anterior or Multidirectional Instability - Shoulder pain with movement coordination impairments (1-minute video)

3. Sub-Acromial Pain Syndrome (previously Shoulder Impingement) - Shoulder pain and muscle power deficits (1-minute video)

4. Acromioclavicular Joint Sprain - Shoulder pain and movement coordination impairments (1-minute video)

5. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) - Shoulder pain with radiating pain (1-minute video)

Sources: 

Hayes K, Callanan M, Walton J, Paxinos A, Murrell GAC. Shoulder Instability: Management and Rehabilitation. J Orthop Sport Phys Ther. October 2002.

van der Windt DA, Koes BW, de Jong BA, Bouter LM. Shoulder disorders in general practice: incidence, patient characteristics, and management. Ann Rheum Dis. 1995; 54: 959– 964.

Vecchio PC, Kavanagh RT, Hazleman BL, King RH. Community survey of shoulder disorders in the elderly to assess the natural history and effects of treatment. Ann Rheum Dis. 1995; 54: 152– 154.