Posterior Shoulder Pain and Muscle Wasting in an Older Adult

Musculoskeletal injuries are among the most common chief complaints in the geriatric population. Shoulder pain with associated deformity should be evaluated for possible joint dislocations, fractures, and musculotendinous tears. A comprehensive evaluation beginning with history and physical examination is important. Typical imaging utilized for the diagnosis of shoulder injuries includes plain radiography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We present a case of a 75-year-old male with massive rotator cuff tears and subsequent shoulder deformity. Management with non-surgical or surgical approaches should begin as soon as possible to delay the development of rotator cuff arthropathy.