Shoulder Exam

Question 1

what would you inspect in a shoulder exam

Answer 1

anterior - scars, asymmetry, muscle wasting
lateral - scars
posterior - scars, asymmetry, muscle wasting, winged scapula - put hands fully extended against wall

Question 2

what would you feel for in a shoulder exam

Answer 2

assess temp of shoulder joints
palpate the components of shoulder girdle (start at sterno clavicular joint and work around)
palpate the borders or the spine and scapula

Question 3

what would you move in a shoulder exam

Answer 3

screening exam - hands behind their head and push their elbows as back as far as they can + put hands behind their back and reach their hands as far as they can up the back
external roatation - elbow flexed to 90 then move outwards
internal rotation - elbow flexed to 90 then move inwards
flexion - arms raise arms up in front
extension - bring arms down and behind
abduction - arms out to side, check painful arc by getting them to raise their arm to side and palm downwards
adduction - arms back down and across body
then check passive movement + feel for crepitus

Question 4

how would you test the rotator cuff

Answer 4

supraspinatus - resisted abduction from 0
scarf test, empty can test
infraspinatus + teres minor - resisted external rotation
subscapularis - lift off test - place their hand behind their back and get them to push against your hand with their palm

Question 5

how would you complete a shoulder exam

Answer 5

examine the cervical spine and elbow joints
full neurovascular exam on upper limbs

Question 6

How would you test function in a shoulder exam

Answer 6

can patient dress themselves without any difficulty?
can patient wash themselves without difficulty?