Abstract
The glenohumeral joint is the most mobile joint in the body with a large degree of range of motion. Along with this increased mobility comes a higher degree of instability due to a shallow and smaller glenoid as compared with the humeral head, which can lead to subsequent shoulder injuries. Pathology related to the rotator cuff is the leading cause of shoulder pain and can often present with pain, weakness, and loss of range of motion. However, the differential diagnosis of shoulder pain can be broad and includes labral tears, glenohumeral ligament tears or sprains, acromioclavicular ligament tears, osteoarthritis, adhesive capsulitis, peripheral neuropathy, and cervical radiculopathy. As a result, a thorough examination should include the cervical spine and the contralateral shoulder.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Reference
Jain NB, Wilcox III RB, Katz JN, Higgins LD. Clinical examination of the rotator cuff. PM&R. 2013;5(1):45–56.
Suggested Reading
Magee DJ. Orthopedic physical assessment. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2013. p. 231–350.
Malanga GA, Nadler S, editors. Musculoskeletal physical examination: an evidence-based approach. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2006. p. 59–118.
Moen MH, de Vos RJ, Ellenbecker TS, Weir A. Clinical tests in shoulder examination: how to perform them. Br J Sports Med. 2010;44(5):370.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Yang, A.J., Jain, N.B. (2017). Shoulder. In: Yong, R., Nguyen, M., Nelson, E., Urman, R. (eds) Pain Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43133-8_12
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43133-8_12
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-43131-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-43133-8
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)