Shoulder Examination - Orthopaedics

Oxford Medical Education2 minutes read

The video covers a musculoskeletal examination of the shoulder, discussing basic anatomy and specific tests for pathologies, focusing on stability provided by rotator cuff tendons and capsular ligament in the ball-and-socket glenohumeral joint. The examination process includes hand washing, patient consent, pain inquiry, palpation for tenderness, deformity, and swelling, along with assessing active and passive movements like flexion, extension, and strength of rotator cuff muscles, including special tests for impingement, tears, and instability.

Insights

  • The shoulder examination in the video covers both basic anatomy and specific pathologies, emphasizing the importance of a systematic approach that includes assessing bony abnormalities, muscle strength, and conducting special tests for various conditions like impingement and rotator cuff tears.
  • The video highlights the significance of the rotator cuff tendons and capsular ligament in providing stability to the shoulder joint due to its shallow glenoid fossa, allowing for extensive movement while also showcasing the essential steps of the examination process, such as hand washing, patient consent, and thorough palpation for tenderness and deformities in specific areas like the sternoclavicular joint.

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Recent questions

  • What is the structure of the shoulder joint?

    The shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket joint with stability primarily from rotator cuff tendons and capsular ligament due to a shallow glenoid fossa allowing for extensive movement.

  • What areas are focused on during palpation of the shoulder?

    Palpation involves feeling for tenderness, deformity, temperature, and swelling, focusing on specific areas like the sternoclavicular joint, acromioclavicular joint, and coracoid process.

  • What movements are assessed during a shoulder examination?

    Active and passive movements are assessed for pain and range of motion, including flexion, extension, abduction, external rotation, internal rotation, and strength of rotator cuff muscles.

  • What are some special tests used in a shoulder examination?

    Special tests like Job's test, Hawkins test, and the sulcus test are demonstrated to assess impingement, rotator cuff tears, and joint instability, with additional tests for suspected instability or osteoarthritis.

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Summary

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Shoulder Musculoskeletal Examination: Anatomy, Tests, Implications

  • The video focuses on a musculoskeletal examination of the shoulder, covering basic shoulder anatomy and a systematic examination with special tests for specific pathologies.
  • The glenohumeral joint is a ball-and-socket joint with stability primarily from rotator cuff tendons and capsular ligament due to a shallow glenoid fossa allowing for extensive movement.
  • The examination process starts with hand washing, patient consent, and pain inquiry, followed by a systematic look at bony and soft tissue abnormalities, muscle bulk, and skin abnormalities.
  • Palpation involves feeling for tenderness, deformity, temperature, and swelling, focusing on specific areas like the sternoclavicular joint, acromioclavicular joint, and coracoid process.
  • Active and passive movements are assessed for pain and range of motion, including flexion, extension, abduction, external rotation, internal rotation, and strength of rotator cuff muscles.
  • Special tests like Job's test, Hawkins test, and the sulcus test are demonstrated to assess impingement, rotator cuff tears, and joint instability, with additional tests for suspected instability or osteoarthritis.
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