Common Problems of the Shoulder
Part One
Age >40
First, a little Anatomy
Shoulder Girdle Muscles
Shoulder Pain
Rule out Extrinsic Sources Referred
Abdomen: subdiaphragmatic Pulmonary disease: Pancoast tumor Cervical Spine
Radicular
Cervicogenic Pain
Spondylosis: “degeneration”
Ache into shoulders Pain reproduced with ROM C 4-5: 5 root, pain to shoulder, (deltoid) C 5-6: 6 root, lat forearm, thumb (biceps, ECRL) C 6-7: 7 root, middle finger (triceps) C 7-8: 8 root, small finger (finger flexion) C8-T1: T1 root, medial arm (finger abduction)
Radiculopathy (weakness)
Common Diagnoses
Impingement Rotator cuff tear AC joint disease Frozen shoulder Rare: Glenohumeral arthritis, contusion, infection.
Shoulder Pain
Symptoms:
Pain overhead Pain and weakness Pain with anything
Duration of symptoms
Duration of Symptoms
If pain is acute (<12weeks), you can cure the patient with activity modification (no activity with elbow away from side), once a day stretch fully overhead, ice, and +/- NSAID or narcotic. Pain > 12weeks is harder. Pain > 6 months will need a miracle.
Impingement
The most common diagnosis
Friction Overuse--rare to get it in the history Bursitis-->Tendinitis-->Rotator Cuff Tear
Impingement
Bursitis= pain but not when testing cuff
Tendinitis=hurts when cuff muscles are tested Rotator cuff tear=weakness, frequently without pain
Impingement/Bursitis Pain with overhead activity
Pain felt at lateral shoulder Pain at night Can also be coming from the AC joint EXAM: Impingement Sign vs AC joint tenderness and Cross Arm Adduction Test
Tests Impingement Sign
Tests Cross Arm Adduction
(pain must be at AC joint, not posterior capsule)
AC Joint
Tenderness directly over joint. Pain increased with adduction, overhead activity Treat like arthritis anywhere else. Injections are frequently helpful diagnostically and therapeutically.
AC Joint Arthritis
Impingement Treatment
Activity modification: no activity with elbow away from side, in the gym, or at the computer. Once a day stretch fully overhead. NSAID and Ice Injection in 3-6 wks prn. Physical Therapy: After pain subsides:
Regain ROM, strengthen rotator cuff
Keeping shoulder healthy
Once pain subsides, start rotator cuff strengthening. Continue cuff program at the gym and at home. BOTH shoulders.
Pain and Weakness
Does this mean a Rotator Cuff Tear? Can’t assess rotator cuff when there is pain Treat pain first: NSAID, PT, ice, rest-4 wks Cortisone shot (once) if above doesn’t work Test cuff when pain subsides. Refer after 6 weeks of treatment, not
Rotator Cuff Tests
Best single test is External Rotation Strength (Infraspinatus and Teres Minor). Can get extra credit testing Supraspinatus Advanced placement if massive tear picked up testing Subscapularis (hand push off test with hand dorsum resting on low back)
Tests Rotator Cuff External Rotation
Tests Rotator Cuff Supraspinatus
Rotator Cuff Treatment
Cuff tear is rare in age<50. Autopsy and MRI studies show most males over have RC tear and never had symptoms Beware of the Repeat Injectee who has weakness. Surgery decision is based on pain
Biceps Tendon Rupture Proximal
Special Case: Rupture of long head of Biceps
Usually occurs without much trauma Rupture of attrition (like a rope rubbing over a rock), remember long (lateral) head is intra-articular and part of the cuff. Problem is the shoulder, not the tendon Some supination power lost, not elbow flexion
Pain with Anything
Usually severe symptoms, not acute Motion usually very restricted, passive and active (really can’t examine patient) Frozen vs. “freezing” shoulder PT, PT, PT (pain isn’t harmful) Lots of support needed, injection might help.
Frozen Shoulder
Not an “-itis”, more like Dupuytrens contracture in the hand. DDx: Shoulder joint infection (GH joint), Shoulder joint arthritis (DX with XR) Best Dx test: no passive external rotation.
Frozen shoulder vs. Arthritis
Age XR:
Shoulder Infection
Red, angry looking shoulder=septic arthritis of AC joint, not glenohumeral joint. Aspirate point of maximal angriness (over superior AC joint), get labs, xray, and refer
Glenohumeral Joint Infection
Very rare Increased incidence in diabetics, immuno-compromised patients. Shoulder looks normal, just bigger. SEVERE pain. Any motion hurts. Often a fever. Get labs (CBC, blood cultures, ESR, CRP), XR, then: Get a consult.
Who needs an Xray?
1st visit, routine Hx/PE: No No improvement after Tx: Yes Odd Hx or PE, h/o fracture or injury: Yes Pre-referral: Yes Recommended XR: AP/outlet views
Shoulder Xrays
What about a MRI?
If it will change what you do, order it. False positives Helpful if cervical spine is bemuddling. Some orthopedists like it prior to referral; doesn’t hurt to check for local customs.
Shoulder MRI