Question

What is the organized physical examination that follows the orthopedic examination outline?

4. A 25 year old right hand dominant male presents for 3 week history of pain in his left
shoulder. He fell onto his left shoulder 3 weeks ago and had some swelling and decreased
motion for a couple of days. He used ice and took Ibuprofen for the pain and swelling. The pain
has decreased from an 8/10 initially to a 3/10 now intermittently. He describes the pain as an
ache on the top of his shoulder. He has pain with overhead activities and when he sleeps. He
denies any radiating pain or numbness or tingling. He likes to work out at the gym and while he
can still do most activities, he notes weakness and pain with pressing any weight above his
head. No significant past medical history.

Answer 1

Answer: The shoulder consists of three joints:

• glenohumeral joint
• sternoclavicular joint,
• acromioclavicular joint.

The glenohumeral joint possess three degrees of freedom of motion, the range of motion as a whole is further increased by the glenohumeral joint's, so, the physical examination of this joint is necessary as it is on the top.