Assessment and management of shoulder pain at primary care level

Abstract

Most patients with shoulder pain will initially visit their community health centre, private general practitioner or family physician, with various levels  of experience in the assessment and management of shoulder conditions. Shoulder conditions will range from early, simple ailments that can be  treated in the primary care setting, to post-traumatic injuries and complex pathologies requiring the expertise of an orthopaedic surgeon or a  fellowship-trained shoulder surgeon. Correct assessment of the patient’s shoulder condition at the index consultation is a prerequisite for  appropriate management. This article sets out straightforward guidelines to help general practitioners confidently identify the patient’s source of  shoulder pain and initiate an appropriate management plan at primary care level. Criteria for urgent and elective referral  or specialist care are also outlined.