Shoulder pain

Question 1

How would a rotator cuff tear typically present

Answer 1

specific trauma or chronic impingement. Weakness and pain, tenderness on palpation. Painful arc of movement and weakness in affected muscles

Question 2

How does calcific tendinopathy typically present?

Answer 2

Tenderness on palpation and reluctance to move arm

Question 3

How does subacromial impingement present>?

Answer 3

Pain in overhead activities and demonstrate a painful arc of abduction on examination worse between 90 and 120 degrees. popping, snapping or grinding sound

Question 4

Adhesive capsulitis

Answer 4

Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) is a common cause of shoulder pain. It is most common in middle-aged females. The aetiology of frozen shoulder is not fully understood.

Associations
diabetes mellitus: up to 20% of diabetics may have an episode of frozen shoulder

Features typically develop over days
external rotation is affected more than internal rotation or abduction
both active and passive movement are affected
patients typically have a painful freezing phase, an adhesive phase and a recovery phase
bilateral in up to 20% of patients
the episode typically lasts between 6 months and 2 years

Management
no single intervention has been shown to improve outcome in the long-term
treatment options include NSAIDs, physiotherapy, oral corticosteroids and intra-articular corticosteroids