Common injuries of the shoulder. Diagnosis and treatment

Shoulder pain is often the presenting complaint of patients seeing their primary care physicians. Overuse and traumatic injuries make up most of the causes. A physical examination with minimal diagnostic tests can lead to the correct diagnosis in most cases. Most conditions can be treated conservatively (nonsurgically). Appropriate referral to a specialist depends on the severity of the initial injury or the patient's lack of response to conservative treatment (or both). We discuss common injuries of the shoulder, emphasizing a practical diagnostic and therapeutic approach.