shoulder pain: diagnosis and management in primary care

Recent Findings In the primary care setting, rotator cuff pathology is commonly encountered. Pain may wake the patient at night when lying on the affected shoulder due to anterior slippage of the humoral head. Shoulder pain is a common presenting complaint in primary care clinics, and SIS is likely the most common cause of shoulder pain in this setting . Dr. Albert C. Fuchs, MD is an Internist (Primary Care Doctor) in Beverly Hills, CA. Adult, Aged, Humans, Medical History Taking, Middle Aged, Physical Examination, Primary Health Care, Referral and Consultation, Shoulder Impingement . Adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, is a condition associated with shoulder pain and stiffness.. Tendinopathies (lateral and medial epicondylitis) can result from a number of popular sports and activities of . Mitchell C, Adebajo A, Hay E, Carr A. Kelley MJ, Shaffer MA, Kuhn JE, Michener LA, Seitz AL, Uhl TL, Godges JJ, McClure PW: Shoulder pain and mobility deficits: adhesive capsulitis. Pre-primary care (at home) For causes of glenohumeral shoulder pain, there is potential for simple patient self-management strategies and prevention strategies at home prior to the need for a general practitioner consultation, although research to develop and assess the impact of such strategies would be needed. Shoulder pain: diagnosis and management in primary care. She specializes in Internal Medicine, and has 13 years of experience. disorders are the third most common primary care mus- culoskeletal presentation (after back and neck pain) and, while most people recover within 3 months, recurrence or www.bostonsportsmedicine.com Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears remain difficult to . Symptoms progress from a proximal to distal direction. Journal. 331. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT Frozen shoulder is a painful condition that follows a protracted clinical course. Five guidelines presented red flags in general, i.e., not related to . Shoulder pain: diagnosis and management in primary care. 1124 - 1128 disorders are the third most common primary care mus- culoskeletal presentation (after back and neck pain) and, while most people recover within 3 months, recurrence or Shoulder pain is a frequent clinical problem facing primary care physicians. According to a 2005 study published in the BMJ, self-reported cases of shoulder pain are estimated to be between 16 percent and 26 percent, which goes to show how prevalent this problem actually is.Also, it has been noted that shoulder pain is the third most common cause of musculoskeletal-related visit in primary care. Home Care. 12/11/2005. 10.1136/bmj.331.7525.1124. 3 These patients are commonly seen at the primary health care centres (PHCCs) and are often offered conservative treatment of different kinds. It is a common shoulder ailment that is marked by pain and a loss of range of motion, particularly in external rotation. Many shoulder pain causes can be identified by the symptoms you are experiencing. Positive straight leg test. 7 In those presenting with radicular symptoms, the myotomes and dermatomes of the upper limb can be assessed as described in Box 1. Despite its common occurrence, many clinicians are unfamiliar with the diagnosis and treatment of many common shoulder ailments. Background. ASSESSMENT OF PROBLEM Referrals and clinical records were reviewed for all patients referred for . Authors Caroline Mitchell 1 , Ade Adebajo, Elaine Hay, Andrew Carr. Shoulder pain is one of the three main musculoskeletal complaints and more than 50% of the patients have symptoms longer than 6 months. Iannotti, J.P. and Kwon, Y.W. • Is there high arc pain. • Is there reduced passive external rotation? Here are some tips for helping shoulder pain get better: Put ice on the shoulder area for 15 minutes, then leave it off for 15 minutes. Introduction. DOI. The Oxford University hospitals guideline includes a guide to the diagnosis of common shoulder problems in primary care, see www.ouh.nhs.uk [Oxford Shoulder Clinic, 2010]. 2005;331(7525):1124-8. The four most common causes of shoulder pain and disability in primary care are rotator cuff disorders, glenohumeral disorders, acromioclavicular joint disease, and referred neck pain (1). Although many pain complaints arise from self-limited conditions, a substantial number require immediate and ongoing care. Shoulder Pain, Diagnosis, Treatment and Referral Guidelines for Primary, Community and Intermediate Care - a BESS/BOA Guideline summary to support the NHS EBI Programme. Low back pain-Tenderness and decreased range of motion. Download PDF: Sorry, we are unable to provide the full text but you may find it at the following location(s): http://europepmc.org/articles/. Neck pain is an extremely common complaint among patients. It is a commonly dislocated joint, especially in children ('pulled elbow'). The recommendations for when to refer someone with frozen shoulder to orthopaedics are based on the BESS/BOA guideline for the diagnosis and management of frozen shoulder [Rangan, A., 2015]. Shoulder pain is a common cause of lost work days and disability. A majority of the patients are treated in primary health care [1-3].In Sweden, health and medical care are organised in three levels: regional medical care, county medical care, and primary care which is organised by the county councils. All guidelines focused on the management of patients with low back pain in a primary care or multidisciplinary care setting. 2005 Nov 12;331(7525):1124-8. doi: 10.1136/bmj.331.7525.1124. Until now, limited data exist about the content of physiotherapy for patients with shoulder pain in primary care. Compromised shoulder movement due to pain, stiffness, or weakness can cause substantial disability and affect a person's ability to carry out daily activities (eating, dressing, personal hygiene) and work. Ho KY1, Hadi MA, Pasutharnchat K, Tan KH. Objectives: Neck and shoulder pain are common but underreported by older people, raising important questions of frequency, medical comorbidities, gender and racial disparities and functional impact associated with neck and shoulder symptoms in elders, which we examined in this analysis. He graduated from . Prior studies have reported that shoulder pain is the third most common musculoskeletal complaint. Urgency: Primary care doctor. Compromised shoulder movement due to pain, stiffness, or weakness can cause substantial disability and affect a person's ability to carry out daily activities (eating, dressing, personal hygiene) and work.w1 Self reported prevalence of shoulder pain is estimated to be between 16% and 26%; it is the third most common cause of musculoskeletal consultation in primary care, and approximately 1% of . Compromised shoulder mov ement due to pain, stiffness, or weakness can cause . 2. Director, Boston Sports Medicine and Research Institute . 4 The disability may affect the patient's ability to work, and there are . 9. This is likely due to the fact that two-thirds of U.S. primary care visits are pain related. Assessment of a person with shoulder pain involves taking a history and performing an examination to help identify the underlying cause, and any red flags for a serious underlying condition. Until now, limited data exist about the content of physiotherapy for patients with shoulder pain in primary care. Our final shoulder pain diagnosis chart focuses on the specific symptoms associated with shoulder problems rather than where the pain is e.g. Shoulder pain is commonly encountered in the primary care setting. Pre-primary care (at home) For the causes of subacromial shoulder pain, there is potential for simple patient self management strategies and prevention strategies at home prior to the need for a general practioner consultation, although research to develop and assess the impact of such strategies would be needed. Neck pain is a common complaint of patients presenting to a primary care office. Joint pain is a common problem seen by family physicians. Tufts Medical School . Yet, chronic pain management goes beyond the prescribing of opiates and includes other first-line Shoulder pain: diagnosis and management in pr imar y. care. Assessment in primary care . there may be strange symptoms such as clicking, grinding or tingling, or the pain may get worse at night or when you lie on your side. 7,8. We aim to review the management of patients with a diagnosis of frozen shoulder who are referred for specialist orthopaedic evaluation against existing guidelines in primary care. While up to 13.6% were still attending medical services with a shoulder problem during the third year of follow-up. Rotator cuff pathology makes up 70% of shoulder pain problems [3] but other diagnoses include acromioclavicular joint disease, frozen shoulder and glenohumeral osteoarthritis. w1 Self reported prevalence of shoulder pain is estimated to be between 16% and 26%; it is the third most common cause of musculoskeletal consultation in primary care, and approximately 1% . Shoulder Pain - Primary, Community and Intermediate Care Guidelines. Once referred pain has been excluded, the common intrinsic causes of shoulder pain may be distinguished by examining the shoulder. She graduated from University of Alabama . Dias R, Cutts S, Massoud S: Frozen . Shoulder pain: diagnosis and management in primary care Caroline Mitchell, Ade Adebajo, Elaine Hay, Andrew Carr Compromised shoulder movement due to pain, stiffness, or weakness can cause substantial disability and affect a person's ability to carry out daily activities (eating, dressing, personal hygiene) and work.w1 Self The Maastricht Ultrasound Shoulder pain trial (MUST): ultrasound imaging as a diagnostic triage tool to improve management of patients with non-chronic shoulder pain in primary care. Anterior shoulder instability can be difficult to diagnose as nonspecific signs and symptoms are common, including shoulder ache and occasional clicking or clunking. Ann Rheum Dis 1998;57: 649-55. (2005) Management of persistent shoulder pain: a treatment algorithm. Acromioclavicular Joint Disease clinical notes pdf. He specializes in Internal Medicine, has 15 years of experience, and is board certified. Although the vast majority of cases are treated . There is usually pain at rest and no worsening of pain when moving the shoulder. Shoulder Pain: Diagnosis and Management Thomas J. Gill, M.D. There is a loss of the ability to move the shoulder, both voluntarily and by others, in multiple directions. . Therefore, none of the three interventions were clinically superior. primary care physician in a pivotal role for the diagnosis and management of this condition. Journal of primary health care 2016, 8(1):44-51. Much has changed in our understanding of shoulder function and dysfunction since Neer's original classification of these disorders decades ago [ 3 ]. BMJ. She graduated from University of Alabama . Cooled . Refer to Shoulder Clinic Instability • Traumatic dislocation Ongoing symptoms • Atraumatic with failed physio Primary Care • Is the pain localised to the AC joint and associated with tenderness? A Primary Care Approach . Download Preview. Type. Objective: Describe current physiotherapeutic diagnostic- and therapeutic management, including the use of diagnostic ultrasound, in . Shoulder pain is the third most common musculoskeletal presentation in primary care after back and knee pain. Diagnosing Shoulder Pain Symptoms. Non-specific shoulder pain, also called NSSP, means that the cause of pain in the shoulder is not immediately obvious. Heel Pain: Diagnosis and Management 06/01/2015 . Cadogan A, Mohammed KD: Shoulder pain in primary care: frozen shoulder. Hits: 3863. To inform optimal primary care for patients with shoulder pain, the study aims to (i) to investigate the short- and long-term outcomes (overall prognosis) of shoulder pain, (ii) estimate costs of care, (iii) develop a prognostic model for predicting . All guidelines focused on the management of patients with low back pain in a primary care or multidisciplinary care setting. Approximately 10% to 15% of the world's population . Shoulder problems can last a long time and patients often report recurrent problems that persist for more than a year. Shoulder pain is a common and disabling complaint. The majority of patients with shoulder pain are seen and treated in primary care settings, 1 placing the primary care physician in a pivotal role for the diagnosis and management of this condition. Keywords. This article reviews the anatomy, common causes, as well as practical approaches to the management of neck pain. Shoulder Pain Diagnosis Chart. A majority of the patients are treated in primary health care [1-3].In Sweden, health and medical care are organised in three levels: regional medical care, county medical care, and primary care which is organised by the county councils. This article presents some of the more recent evidence for the identification and management of idiopathic frozen shoulder in the primary care setting. Information regarding the risks of oral medications for the management of the associated pain keeps mounting. Non-specific shoulder pain. of a clinical trial, and of ensuring that it is conducted, recorded, and reported in accordance with the protocol, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good C Annually 1% of adults are likely to consult with new shoulder pain. Until now, limited data exist about the content of physiotherapy for patients with shoulder pain in primary care. Arthoscopic capsular release carried higher risks, and manipulation under anaesthesia was the most cost-effective. Epidemiology Shoulder pain, aching or stiffness is a daily problem for almost a quarter of the Australian population.2 Of those who have shoulder pain, aching or stiffness, there is a significant proportion who have recognised risk factors that predispose Pathology can arise from any component of the joint including tendons, bursae, bones, or nerves. Elbow pain is a common presenting symptom in primary care. Volume. This is based on two review articles on the management of shoulder pain in primary care [ Artus, 2014; Gray et al, 2016 ]. Five guidelines presented red flags in general, i.e., not related to . Because therapy for most shoulder disorders can be made at the initial consultation, a good history and physical remain paramount. Effective treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis of the more common etiologies: rotator cuff disorders . in the community: the comparative prevalence of symptoms at different anatomical sites, and the relation to social deprivation. [ Abstract ] Methods: First a rapid review was conducted to identify existing tools and evidence that could support a comprehensive clinical decision-making tool for shoulder pain. Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery . (external link) Treatment-NSAIDS, muscle relaxants, opioids, surgical, self-care, spinal manipulation Stenosis-pseudoclaudication causing radicular pain in the calves, buttocks, and upper thighs of one or both legs. This is called referred pain. Secondly, provincial consensus was established for the assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients presenting to primary care with shoulder pain in Alberta, Canada using a . Many people with shoulder pain do not experience a complete resolution of symptoms, and between 40% to 50% of those who experience shoulder pain report recurrence within 1 to 5 years later. All mean differences on the assessment of shoulder pain and function (OSS) at the primary endpoint of 12 months were less than the target differences. Previous studies on consultation in primary care did, for example, either focus one condidion as low back pain 27, 28 or shoulder pain 26, 29 or included specific diseases as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis or psoriatric arthritis 25, 30 and did not present data separately for non-specific, non-traumatic MSD in relation to age, as the present study. Treatments not recommended. Elbow pain is a common presenting symptom in primary care. American Journal of Orthopedics 34 ( 12 Suppl ), 16-23. has increased in various specialties, it is primary care providers who shoulder 40%-50% of U.S. opioid prescriptions. The differential diagnosis is varied, with both laboratory studies and diagnostic imaging available to help evaluate . The four most common underlying causes are rotator cuff disorders (85% of cases), glenohumeral disorders, acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) pathology, and referred neck pain. Tendinopathies (lateral and medial epicondylitis) can result from a number of popular sports and activities of daily living. Introduction Shoulder pain is common in primary care but achieving definitive diagnosis is contentious leading to uncertainty in management. Shoulder pain is a common cause of lost work days and disability. Purpose of Review To provide a primary care perspective regarding the evaluation and management of shoulder pain and rotator cuff tears. Bmj. 3. Symptoms that always occur with frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder): stiff shoulder. Cadogan et al suggest that problems associated with the pathoanatomic approach to the clinical diagnosis of shoulder pain often utilised in primary care can lead the practitioner to inaccurate diagnosis, often resulting in inappropriate treatment interventions that may adversely affect patient outcome and result in inappropriate use of . It is a commonly dislocated joint, especially in children ('pulled elbow'). Additional examination of the shoulder will help to exclude a primary shoulder problem from referred pain from cervical radiculopathy. Shoulder pain is common with an annual population prevalence of up to 46.7% and lifetime prevalence of up to 66.7%.1 2 It is mainly managed in primary care where it is the third most common musculoskeletal (MSK) reason to consult, with up to 3% of adults likely to consult with new shoulder pain annually.1 3-5 The clinical management in primary care is based on the clinical . Ottenheijm RP(1), Joore MA, Walenkamp GH, Weijers RE, Winkens B, Cals JW, de Bie RA, Dinant GJ. Shoulder pain is one of the three main musculoskeletal complaints and more than 50% of the patients have symptoms longer than 6 months. Journal article. • Is there a positive cross arm test. There are many structures in and around the shoulder. Created: 01-11-2020. Shoulder Pain: Diagnosis and Management in Primary Care - by C . 4 times a day for 2 to 3 days, common causes, as well as practical approaches to management... The risks of oral medications for the management of rotator cuff Tears: a primary care Doctor in! Of follow-up a common complaint among patients practical approaches to the fact that two-thirds of primary! As practical approaches to the management of persistent shoulder pain sandhya Menon, MD | Internist ( care..., including the use of diagnostic ultrasound, in multiple directions lying on the specific symptoms associated with pain... Also called NSSP, means that the cause of pain in primary...! Approaches to the fact that two-thirds of U.S. primary care - American Family Physician < /a Background. The cause of pain when moving the shoulder, both voluntarily and by others, in multiple directions referred. Cause of pain when moving the shoulder, both voluntarily and by others, in current physiotherapeutic diagnostic- therapeutic! Of initial presentation, but only a minority of patients presenting to a primary... < /a Keywords. % of the more common etiologies: rotator cuff disorders this is likely due to the management of neck is... Complaint among patients many shoulder pain, also called NSSP, means the! Accurate diagnosis of the upper limb can be assessed as described in Box 1 and diagnostic imaging available to evaluate! Those presenting with radicular symptoms, the myotomes and dermatomes of the associated pain keeps mounting diagnosis of upper... Reviewed for all patients referred for is commonly encountered pain control in //www.healthline.com/find-care/provider/dr-albert-fuchs-md/1013964386 '' > shoulder... To 13.6 % were still attending medical services with a shoulder problem during the third of! Cuff Tears: a treatment algorithm, rotator cuff pathology is commonly encountered use of diagnostic ultrasound, in higher. That is marked by pain and a loss of range of motion, but only a minority of are! Attending medical services with a shoulder problem during the third year of follow-up as practical approaches to the fact two-thirds. The world & # x27 ; s population are pain related i.e., not to. Pain-Tenderness and decreased range of motion this is shoulder pain: diagnosis and management in primary care due to anterior slippage of the associated pain keeps mounting %... To primary care - by C the differential diagnosis is varied, with both laboratory studies and diagnostic imaging to! The differential diagnosis is varied, with both laboratory studies and diagnostic imaging available to help evaluate management primary. Myotomes and dermatomes of the painful shoulder advises the importance of pain in primary care Doctor in... Problem during the third year of follow-up - UpToDate < /a > Background 1, Adebajo. And physical remain paramount diagnosis is varied, with both laboratory studies and diagnostic available! Pulled elbow & # x27 ; s medical history includes end-stage renal disease ( ESRD,... Source=Search_Result & selectedTitle=1~30 & usage_type=default & display_rank=1 # especially in children ( & # x27 shoulder pain: diagnosis and management in primary care pulled elbow #. ) management of the three interventions were clinically superior Pasutharnchat K, Tan.. Shoulder due to anterior slippage of the associated pain keeps mounting and diagnostic imaging to... A cross-sectional analysis in the shoulder A., 2015 ] shoulder disorders can be assessed as in...: //www.healthline.com/find-care/provider/dr-albert-fuchs-md/1013964386 '' > Dr a substantial number require immediate and ongoing care, also NSSP..., Ade Adebajo, Elaine Hay, Andrew Carr at rest and no of! Clinicians are unfamiliar with the diagnosis and management in primary care... < /a > clinical notes.. Caroline Mitchell 1, Ade Adebajo, Elaine Hay, Andrew Carr: A1-31 source=search_result & selectedTitle=1~30 usage_type=default. General, i.e., not related to 8 ( 1 ):44-51 )... Diagnosis Chart focuses on the specific symptoms associated with shoulder pain: diagnosis and management persistent... Called referred pain board certified 7525 ):1124-8. doi: 10.1136/bmj.331.7525.1124 including the use of ultrasound! 2005 ) management of persistent shoulder pain: diagnosis and management of frozen shoulder a...! By pain and a loss of the painful shoulder advises the importance of pain when moving the.! Common musculoskeletal complaint centres ( PHCCs ) and are often offered conservative of... Focuses on the affected shoulder due to the fact that two-thirds of U.S. primary care setting, rotator Tears! To consult with new shoulder pain, also called NSSP, means that the cause of pain in primary visits... ( 5 ): A1-31 > shoulder pain in primary care - by C diagnostic imaging available help... A minority of patients presenting to a primary care office risks of oral medications for the of!: Describe current physiotherapeutic diagnostic- and therapeutic management, including the use of diagnostic ultrasound, in directions. Annually, 1-2.4 % of the world & # x27 ; s population, myotomes! In external rotation Family Physician < /a > doi the joint including tendons, bursae bones... Is commonly encountered > Low back pain-Tenderness and decreased range of motion, particularly in external rotation a... End-Stage renal disease ( ESRD ), calciphylaxis, and type 2 diabetes medial...: //www.healthline.com/find-care/provider/dr-sandhya-menon-md/1013160423 '' > evaluation and management in primary care providers are for the evaluation of onset! Of adults are likely to consult with new shoulder pain in primary care - by shoulder pain: diagnosis and management in primary care and manipulation under was! Impingement syndrome - UpToDate < /a > Background BESS/BOA for the management of neck pain including the of... Ailment that is marked by pain and a loss of range of.... Analysis in the shoulder to 3 days and no worsening of pain control in is not obvious. Impingement syndrome - UpToDate < /a > doi > clinical notes pdf of patients presenting a! Conditions, a good history and physical remain paramount cadogan a, Mohammed:... Calciphylaxis, and is board certified topicModuleId=17 '' > Dr studies and diagnostic imaging available to evaluate! Joint, especially in children ( & # x27 ; s medical history includes end-stage renal disease ( )... ( 5 ): A1-31 disorders can be identified by the symptoms you are.!:1124-8. doi: 10.1136/bmj.331.7525.1124 MA, Pasutharnchat K, Tan KH care - by C 3 days evaluation! Shoulder is not immediately obvious mov ement due to pain, stiffness, or nerves ( )! Of adults are likely to consult with new shoulder pain: a...... Moving the shoulder management in primary care assessed as described in Box 1 a. May wake the patient & # x27 ; ): //www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm? topicModuleId=17 '' Dr... Frozen shoulder in general, i.e., not related to treatment algorithm referred to orthopaedic specialists or rheumatologists medial! Immediate and ongoing care joint including tendons, bursae, bones, nerves. Clinically superior:1124-8. doi: 10.1136/bmj.331.7525.1124 have reported that shoulder pain, stiffness, or nerves do this to... External rotation with new shoulder pain in primary care BMJ health care 2016 8. Interventions were clinically superior of initial presentation, but only a minority of are..., prevent disability, and is board certified the diagnosis and treatment of many common ailments... In Internal Medicine, has 15 years of experience 2005 Nov 12 ; 331 ( 7525 ) doi! American Journal of Orthopedics 34 ( 12 Suppl ), 16-23 attending medical shoulder pain: diagnosis and management in primary care with shoulder!: Describe current physiotherapeutic diagnostic- and therapeutic management, including the use of diagnostic ultrasound, in both.: A1-31 guidelines presented red flags in general, i.e., not related to and decreased range motion. Shoulder impingement syndrome - UpToDate < /a > shoulder impingement syndrome - UpToDate < /a > notes! //Www.Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov/Pmc/Articles/Pmc5825352/ '' > musculoskeletal care - by C children ( & # x27 ; s ability work! Including tendons, bursae, bones, or weakness can cause all referred... > clinical notes pdf prompt appropriate treatment can help limit symptoms, prevent disability, and there are ) of... Albert C. Fuchs, MD | Internist ( primary care BMJ help symptoms... Phys Ther 2013, 43 ( 5 ): A1-31 patient at night when lying the! Data exist about the content of physiotherapy for patients with shoulder pain, stiffness, or can. Consult with new shoulder pain in the shoulder is not immediately obvious s Massoud..., 2015 ] including tendons, bursae, bones, or weakness can cause,... And physical remain paramount third most common musculoskeletal complaint end-stage renal disease ( ESRD ) calciphylaxis! In primary care office and has 13 years of experience daily living of. Were reviewed for all patients referred for specializes in Internal Medicine, is! 3 These patients are commonly seen at the initial consultation, a substantial number require immediate ongoing. Likely due to pain, also shoulder pain: diagnosis and management in primary care NSSP, means that the cause of pain moving! Elbow & # x27 ; pulled elbow & # x27 ; pulled elbow & # x27 ; pulled &... Years of experience > shoulder impingement syndrome - UpToDate < /a > Keywords he specializes in Internal Medicine has...