Differentiating Shoulder Pathology from Cervical Spine Pathology: An Algorithmic Approach

J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2023 Nov 28. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-23-00210. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAccurate and timely diagnosis of musculoskeletal conditions is an essential component of high-quality orthopaedic care. The proximity of the shoulder to the cervical spine leads to a multitude of pathologic conditions whose clinical presentations overlap, posing a diagnostic challenge to orthopaedic providers. Missed or delayed diagnosis of the etiology for patient-described 'shoulder pain' causes frustration among patients, incurs increased healthcare costs, and delays treatment. Moreover, patients with concurrent conditions of the cervical spine and shoulder require deliberate consideration for how each condition contributes to patients' symptoms. The purpose of this review was to describe a systematic approach for evaluating and differentiating pathologies of the shoulder and cervical spine.PMID:38029387 | DOI:10.5435/JAAOS-D-23-00210
Source: The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Source Type: research