Shoulder Examination

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Look

Examine the shoulder from the front, the side and behind. Looking each time for:

• Obvious lack of symmetry
• Muscle wasting
• or Scars.

Feel

Temperature over the joint line should be assessed, by comparing it to other areas. Then the following areas should be palpated for tenderness.

• Bony landmarks
• The joint line
• and Surrounding muscles

Move

Hands behind head, then down by side

• Tests shoulder function.

Hands behind back, lifting up as high as possible

• Tests internal rotation

Full extension, abduction and flexion should be assessed, both active and passive.

• Feel for crepitus.
• When passive a hand should be on top to isolate the gilina-humeral movement.

With the elbow flexed to 90 degress and held to the side, test external rotation.

• Tests for frozen shoulder.

Passive movement will be particularly helpful in assessing a painful arc in abduction.

• Pain may be felt between 10 and 120 degrees.

Scapula movement

• Abduct the arm fully, whilst feeling and observing the scapula from behind the patient.