Shoulder Joint Conditions

Shoulder Joint Conditions:

• Rotator cuff tendinitis

• Rotator cuff rupture

• Bicipital tendinitis

• Subacromial bursitis

• Acromioclavicular joint sprain

• SICK scapula

Rotator cuff tendinitis:

• Inflammation of RC tendons due to impingement by acromion

• Acute - 20-40 yrs

• Chronic - 30-70 yrs

Examination/observation of Rotator cuff tendinitis:

• Painful overhead movements and resisted abduction

• Limited active abduction (chronic - abduction & flexion limited)

• Chronic - pain on passive MR and LR at 90°

Special test for Rotator cuff tendinitis:

• Drop arm test (tear/rupture)

• Empty can test (supraspinatus tendon)

Rotator cuff rupture:

40 +

Examination/observation of Rotator cuff rupture:

• Pain with arm elevation

• Limited active abduction and pain with/without restriction depends on partial or full tear

• Pain with resisted abduction

• Passive range is full without pain

Special test for Rotator cuff rupture:

• Drop arm test (tear/rupture)

• Empty can test (supraspinatus tendon)

Bicipital tendinitis:

• Age 20-45

• Repetitive overhead activity

• Long head gets impinged between bicipital groove and anterior acromion

Examination/observation of Bicipital tendinitis:

• Pain with overhead movements

• Pain with full extension to flexion

• Active LR is limited when arm is at 90° abduction

• Passive shoulder and elbow extension combined painful 

• Resisted elbow flexion is painful

Special test for Bicipital tendinitis:

• Speed test

• Yergason test

Subacromial bursitis:

Repetitive overhead activity

Examination/observation of Subacromial bursitis:

• Painful arc 60-120° of abduction

• Active abduction and MR is limited

• Passive MR with 90° shoulder abduction is painful

• Resisted movements painful

Special test for Subacromial bursitis:

• Hawkins kennedy test

• Neer test

Acromioclavicular joint sprain:

Fall on tip of shoulder or outstretched arm

Examination/observation of Acromioclavicular joint sprain:

• Step deformity (3rd degree) at point of shoulder

• Palpation painful on AC joint

• Horizontal adduction and elevation painful

Special test for Acromioclavicular joint sprain:

Shear test

SICK scapula:

Age 20-40 yrs

Examination/observation of SICK scapula:

• Scapular malposition

• Inferior medial border prominence

• Coracoid pain and malposition

• Kinesis abnormalities of scapular movement

Special test for SICK scapula:

• Scapular assistance test

• Scapular reposition test