Persistent shoulder pain: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Rheumatology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Persistent shoulder pain affects many, incurring significant societal costs ($7 billion in US 2000).
• Pathologies include bursitis, tendinitis, rotator cuff tears, adhesive capsulitis, impingement syndrome, avascular necrosis, and osteoarthritis.
• Rotator cuff disorders, adhesive capsulitis, and glenohumeral osteoarthritis are leading causes of persistent shoulder pain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review persistent shoulder pain, focusing on rotator cuff disorders, adhesive capsulitis, and glenohumeral osteoarthritis.
• To highlight the commonality and impact of these specific shoulder conditions.
• To emphasize diagnostic approaches for these prevalent shoulder pain causes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of persistent shoulder pain.
• Focus on conditions: rotator cuff disorders, adhesive capsulitis, glenohumeral osteoarthritis.
• Emphasis on diagnostic methods: medical history, physical examination, plain film radiographs.

Main Results:

• Rotator cuff disorders, adhesive capsulitis, and glenohumeral OA account for approximately 10%, 6%, and 2-5% of shoulder pain cases, respectively.
• These conditions, while complex, are largely diagnosable through standard clinical methods.
• Persistent shoulder pain has multifactorial origins, often requiring a comprehensive diagnostic approach.

Conclusions:

• Rotator cuff disorders, adhesive capsulitis, and glenohumeral osteoarthritis are key contributors to persistent shoulder pain.
• Effective diagnosis is achievable through thorough patient history, physical examination, and radiographic imaging.
• Understanding these common causes is crucial for managing persistent shoulder pain effectively.