Shoulder Pain Management
Diagnosis
Effective treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) advises that early diagnosis and treatment can make a significant difference to long-term shoulder health. Early diagnosis is key to finding a solution for your patient’s shoulder problem. Earlier treatment of shoulder conditions presented via earlier diagnosis may result in a more positive outcome.
Reviewing your patient’s complete medical history and a physical examination of the shoulder can assist you in determining what is causing the patient’s pain. Other diagnostic tests such as x-ray, arthrogram or MRI are generally utilized to confirm your diagnosis. In complex patient situations, the evaluation of your patient may require you to refer your patient to an orthopaedic shoulder specialist.
Knowing what to look for and knowing when to refer your patient to a specialist are vital steps to helping develop a treatment plan for your patient.
Content in this section is adapted and/or repurposed with permission from:
Lotke, PA, Abboud, JA, Ende, J. Lippincott’s Primary Care Orthopaedics. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:section 8.
Authors: Abboud, JA, Ricchetti, ET, Tjoumakaris, FP, Yagnik, GP.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins <http://lww.com>
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Important Note: This web site is intended to provide general information about the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder pain. It is not intended to be a recommendation from DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. for any specific medical evaluation or treatment. It is the responsibility of each physician to determine an appropriate medical plan for an individual patient, based on the patient’s history, symptoms, physical examination, and medical tests.