Shoulder assessment and pathology

Question 1

How much of the humerus sits in the glenoid fossa?

Answer 1

1/3

Question 2

What is the scapula plane?

Answer 2

30-45 degrees from the frontal plane

Question 3

What angle does the scapula usually sit out?

Answer 3

10-20 degrees

Question 4

How much anterior tilting is common?

Answer 4

10-20 degrees

Question 5

Classify the following joints
Sternoclavicular
Acromioclavicular
Glenohumeral

Answer 5

SC = modified ball and socket
AC = plane
GH = ball and socket

Question 6

How much abduction do we have? And how much comes from the GH and the scapulothoracic region?

Answer 6

180 degrees

• 120 from GH
• 60 from Scapulathoracic

Question 7

How is scapular dyskinesis normally classified?

Answer 7

Lack of upward rotation, lack of posterior tilting, increased internal or medial rotation

Question 8

What is concavity compression?

Answer 8

The forces of the rotator cuff muscle’s holding the humerus in the glenoid

Question 9

If a patient reports lateral/anterior shoulder pain with overhead activities or a painful arc. What injury could it be?

Answer 9

Subacromial impingement, bursitis or tendinitis

Question 10

If a patient reports instability, apprehension and pain mostly when shoulder is in a hi five position. What injury could it be?

Answer 10

Shoulder instability or labral tear (if clicking)

Question 11

If a patients reports decreased shoulder ROM with resistance. What injury could it be?

Answer 11

Rotator cuff or long head of biceps

Question 12

If a patients reports falling on the edge of their shoulder. What injury could it be?

Answer 12

AC sprain

Question 13

True or false, it is common for shoulder pain to refer past the elbow?

Answer 13

False! Neck pathology most likely if so

Question 14

What does a weak and painful shoulder indicate?

Answer 14

Rotator cuff tendinopathy or impingement

Question 15

What does a stiff and painful shoulder indicate?

Answer 15

OA or fracture

Question 16

What does an unstable and painful shoulder indicate?

Answer 16

Instability or dislocation

Question 17

What are subjective signs of a rotator cuff tendinopathy?

Answer 17

Pain and weakness of the arm in overhead use, difficulty sleeping on injured side, deep ache in shoulder

Question 18

What are some objective signs of a rotator cuff tendinopathy?

Answer 18

Painful arc - 45-120 degrees, 170-180 degrees

Positive Hawkins Kennedy, Empty can or belly press test

Question 19

What are some subjective signs of shoulder instability?

Answer 19

Pain in hi five position

Subluxations

Question 20

What are some objective signs of shoulder instability

Answer 20

Positive apprehension testing or sulcus sign

Question 21

What are subjective signs of a biceps related labral issue?

Answer 21

Anterior or posterosuperior ache in shoulder, pain when throwing, popping or catching sensations

Question 22

What are some objective signs of a biceps related labral issue?

Answer 22

Positive speeds test, biceps load II test, crank test, bicep punch test

Question 23

What are some subjective signs of an AC injury?

Answer 23

Falling on shoulder, pain with localised tenderness, visible bone deformity. Pain in pressing horizontally

Question 24

What are some objective signs of an AC injury?

Answer 24

Localised tenderness, O’brien test, horizontal adduction

Question 25

What is normal shoulder flexion and hyperextension?

Answer 25

Flx: 0-180
Hyperext: 0-60

Question 26

What is normal shoulder internal and external rotation?

Answer 26

Int rot: 0-70

Ext rot: 0-90