Examination of Shoulder

Question 1

What do you look for in the shoulder?

Answer 1

Look at front, side and back

For:

Symmetry

Deformity

Loss of shoulder contour

Winging of scapula

Muscle wasting (deltoid, supraspinatous, infraspinatous)

Scars

Wounds

Sinuses

Discolouration of skin

Swelling

Question 2

What do you feel for?

Answer 2

Temperature

Palpate bony landmarks for tenderness (sterno-clavicular joint, clavicle, AC joint, acromion process and along scapula, spine of scapula and greater tuberosity of humerus

Palpate anterior and posterior joint lines (whatever they are?)

Palpate muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatous and deltoid)

Check nerve sensation of regimental badge area

Temperature, bone, muscle and nerve

Question 3

What is the active move part of the shoulder examination?

Answer 3

Put hands behind head for abduction and external rotation

Put hands behind back (make assessment of what spinal level they can get to)

Extension and flexion

Abduction

External and internal rotation of shoulder - elbows flexed

Movement of the scapula - painful arc? - document the degrees of movement that are painful

Question 4

What is the passive move part of the shoulder examination?

Answer 4

All movements with hand on joint

Question 5

How would you close the examination

Answer 5

Functional assessment (hands behind head)

Examination of the cervical spine and the elbow spine