What is involved in a shoulder assessment?
Authors: Jaashing He , Hannah Goodings | Reviewer: Darryl Caves | Published: 7 June 2023 | Updated: ~
Identifying the type (neuropathic vs. mechanical) and cause of shoulder pain can be complicated. As shoulders can be affected and affect many regions of the body, a thorough examination of the medical history and a physical examination, conducted by a health professional, is needed to best uncover the cause of pain. This thorough examination may involve:
A detailed history, including:
- Diagnosis (if this pain is a result of an injury or previous diagnosis)
- Pain history
- Occupation
- Recreational activities
- Equipment history and usage
A physical examination of the:
- Neck
- Spine
- Ribcage
- Shoulder joints
- Arm
- Posture
- Position of the shoulder blade on the ribcage
- Range of movement and strength
