Atraumatic Shoulder Pain Research Articles

Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Proximal Humerus Greater and Lesser Tuberosity Avulsion Fractures.

Proximal humerus fractures account for 2% of fractures in skeletally immature patients. Avulsion fractures of the lesser and greater tuberosity are a rare subset of these injuries. Lack of awareness of these fracture types and subtle radiographic findings can result in delayed diagnosis and treatment. Case reports provide most of the current literature, and thus common injury mechanisms, clinical presentation, and ideal treatment time frame and modality are still undetermined. There are limited data directly comparing outcomes with nonsurgical or surgical management leading to unclear treatment guidelines. Presently, techniques for management of these injuries continue to evolve. Although these injuries represent a subset of pediatric proximal humerus injuries, they must be considered when evaluating a child with atraumatic and traumatic shoulder pain.

A Case Report of Hematogenous Osteomyelitis of the Manubrium Caused by Seeding from a Colovesicular Fistula.

Osteomyelitis can occur at various osseous locations and commonly presents in the emergency department (ED). The incidence of osteomyelitis is 21.8 cases per 100,000 persons annually.1 Hematogenous osteomyelitis typically occurs in the vertebrae; however, it may seldomly occur in the manubrium. Hematogenous osteomyelitis can be seen in patients with complicated thoracic surgery, radiation, fracture, diabetes, immunosuppression, steroid therapy, and malnutrition.2 Because signs and symptoms of osteomyelitis may be nonspecific, clinicians must have high suspicion based on history and physical. Workup should include identifying the source, imaging, and surgical cultures. A 60-year-old male with hypertension and diabetes presented with atraumatic right shoulder and chest pain. The patient presented twice to the ED for clavicle pain five days prior. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest detected osseous infection of the manubrium and upper sternum, right clavicle, and mediastinal phlegmon. A CT of the abdomen and pelvis revealed osteomyelitis and discitis of the 12th thoracic and first lumbar vertebral body with gas at the psoas muscle, as well as sigmoid diverticulitis with colovesicular fistula. The patient was started on broad spectrum antibiotics and 1,500 milliliters of lactated Ringer's in the ED. After evaluation by cardiothoracic surgery, the patient was taken to the operating room for neck exploration, incision/drainage, manubriectomy, and right sternoclavicular joint resection. Surgical, blood, urine, and respiratory cultures grew Klebsiella pneumoniae. After a 34-day hospital course, the patient was discharged on two weeks of oral levofloxacin and follow-up appointments with cardiothoracic surgery and infectious disease. The patient had good prognosis and recovery. Hematogenous osteomyelitis to the manubrium is rare and may present with only chest pain. It is important to consider other sources that seed in the manubrium and imaging to evaluate multisite infection. Treatment should include intravenous antibiotics and/or surgical intervention for debridement with washout or manubriectomy.

Ultrasound Versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging as First-Line Imaging Strategies for Rotator Cuff Pathologies: A Comprehensive Analysis of Clinical Practices, Economic Efficiency, and Future Perspectives.

Rotator cuff injuries are a prevalent cause of atraumatic chronic shoulder pain, imposing a significant healthcare burden. This articlereviews the clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging modalities, practice variations, and economic efficiency considerations in the evaluation of rotator cuff pathologies. Ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the primary imaging methods for diagnosing rotator cuff injuries. US provides real-time visualization but has limited tissue penetration, while MRI offers detailed anatomical information but is not a dynamic process. Studies show that MRI is superior to US with higher sensitivity and specificity. MRI is the gold standard, particularly for surgical planning, but US remains relevant when MRI is not feasible. Both require standardized protocols for evaluating tear dimensions and muscle atrophy. With the operator-dependent nature of US, MRI offers a more comprehensive assessment of rotator cuff tears and predictive insights for clinical outcomes. Practice variations exist in the management of rotator cuff pathologies, with some countries favoring US as the primary imaging modality and others relying more on MRI. These variations are influenced by factors like resource availability and healthcare system nuances. In Australia, current guidelines lean towardconservative management, potentially leading to delayed diagnoses and increased costs. The United States often favors MRI, while Canada advocates for US as the initial choice. Economic considerations play a significant role in selecting imaging modalities. While US is cost-effective, it may necessitate subsequent MRI examinations, contributing to inefficiencies in the diagnostic process. Studies suggest that a combined approach of US and MRI is less efficient and cost-effective than MRI alone. However, the use of both modalities rather than MRI aloneis common in clinical practice, adding to healthcare expenses. In conclusion, the choice of imaging modality for rotator cuff pathologies should consider factors such as diagnostic efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and resource availability. Radiologists play a pivotal role in guiding this selection and ensuring comprehensive evaluations. Future considerations should include the revision of management guidelines and the potential inclusion of shoulder pathologies in healthcare coverage to optimize patient care and healthcare expenditure.

THE PREVALENCE AND PROFILE OF AFRICAN PATIENTS WITH OS ACROMIALE THAT PRESENT WITH SHOULDER PAIN AT A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA

Os acromiale is a developmental defect caused by failure of fusion of the anterior epiphysis of the acromion between the ages of 22 and 25. The prevalence of os acromiale in the general population ranges from 1.4% to 15%. Os acromiale has been reported as a contributory factor to shoulder impingement symptoms and rotator cuff injuries, despite being a common incidental observation. In this retrospective study, we examined the prevalence of os acromiale in black African patients with shoulder pain.We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records, radiographs, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 119 patients who presented with atraumatic and minor traumatic shoulder pain at a single institution over a one-year period. Anteroposterior, scapula Y-view, and axillary view plain images were initially evaluated for the presence of os acromiale, and this was corroborated with axial MRI image findings. Patients with verified os acromiale had their medical records reviewed to determine their first complaint and the results of their clinical examination and imaging examination.Radiographs and MRI on 24 patients (20%) revealed an osacromiale. This cohort had a mean age of 59.2 years, and there were significantly more females (65%) than males. Meso-acromion was identified as the most prevalent type (n=11), followed by pre-os acromion (n=7). All patients underwent bilateral shoulder x-rays, and 45 percent of patients were found to have bilateral meso- acromion. Most patients (70%) were reported to have unstable os acromiale with subacromial impingement symptoms, and nine patients (36%) had confirmed rotator cuff tears based on clinical and Mri findings. Surgery was necessary for 47% of the 24 patients with confirmed Os acromiale (arthroscopic surgery, n=7; open surgery, n=1) in order to treat their symptomsThe prevalence of os acromiale in our African patients with atraumatic shoulder symptoms is greater than that reported in the general population. Os acromiale is a rare condition that should always be considered when evaluating shoulder pain patients.

Relation entre l’état musculosquelettique et les mobilités passives (mesures des résultats exprimés par les patients) dans le cadre des douleurs atraumatiques de l’épaule

IntroductionPatient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are commonly utilized to assess patient-derived orthopaedic health status and function. The prevalence of limited musculoskeletal health literacy (MHL) has been demonstrated to be high within the orthopaedic literature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between MHL and upper extremity-specific PROMs and to determine which patient- and symptom-related factors affect baseline PROMs in patients with atraumatic shoulder pain. HypothesisPatients with limited MHL would demonstrate lower median scores on baseline PROMs compared with those with adequate MHL. Materials and methodsNew patients with atraumatic shoulder pain presenting to an academic practice were administered the Literacy in Musculoskeletal Problems (LiMP), in addition to the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH), and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) questionnaires. A detailed physical exam and history was performed by a fellowship-trained shoulder surgeon. Demographic patient data, in addition to prior imaging and orthopaedic treatment, was tabulated. The association between demographics, pain-related variables, and MHL with the ASES, SANE, and QuickDASH scores were examined using Spearman correlation coefficients for continuous variables and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests for categorical variables. Non-parametric analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to examine the independent association of predictor variables with PROMs. ResultsA total of 439 patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled. The mean age was 58,8±12.6 years (range, 24–93) with 162 (37 %) being men. Overall, 172 patients (39.2 %) attained a college degree or higher and 183 (41.7 %) were currently employed. MHL was significantly associated with ASES (p=0.03), but not with the QuickDASH (p=0.75) or SANE score (p=0.16). Similarly, age, having been in the medical profession or having previously visited an orthopaedist, was not associated with PROMs, while employment status correlated to the SANE score (p=0.002). Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain level demonstrated varying strengths of association with each of the scores (ASES (r=−0.729, p<0.001), QuickDASH (r=0.557, p<0.001), and SANE (r=−0.430, p<0.001)). MHL demonstrated no association with initial patient-derived treatment selection. DiscussionThe SANE and QuickDASH may be administered to patients presenting for atraumatic shoulder pain in the outpatient setting regardless of MHL. Further research should be focused on the utility of the ASES instrument amongst patients with lower educational levels and/or limited MHL. Level of evidenceII; diagnostic.

Poster 177: The Impact of Pre-Referral Diagnostic Tests on Care of Atraumatic Shoulder Pain

Objectives:There is a paucity of evidence quantifying the utility and value of pre-referral imaging tests among patients with atraumatic shoulder pain. The primary aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and relative influence of radiographs and MRIs obtained prior to referral to an orthopedic specialist among patients with atraumatic shoulder pain. We hypothesized that there are no patient factors independently associated with undergoing a pre-referral MRI or radiograph. Similarly, there are no factors associated with change of care based on imaging findings, nor do patient factors influence post-referral imaging.Methods:A total of 665 consecutive new adult patients age 35 and older presenting to a single specialty care clinic were included in the study cohort. PROMIS Global Health, PROMIS Mental Health, Patient Health Questionnaire (symptoms of depression), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire were completed at the first specialty care visit. Pre-referral shoulder imaging studies were obtained in 462 of 665 (69%) patients; 49% (n = 324) had radiographs and 21% (n = 138) had MRI. We used logistic regression to identify factors independently associated with prereferral imaging and post-referral imaging. We also recorded whether or not pre-referral imaging changed treatment.Results:Pre-referral MRI was associated with worse overall health (P=0.012), greater symptoms of depression (P=0.049), and longer duration of symptoms (P=0.0072). Pre-referral radiographs were associated with worse PROMIS Global Physical Health (P<0.001), worse PROMIS Global Mental Health (p=0.012), greater symptoms of anxiety (p=0.055), greater symptoms of depression (p=0.026), and longer duration of symptoms (p<0.005). There was no relationship between diagnosis and pre-referral MRI or radiographs (p=0.34, p= 0.17). There were no factors associated with post-referral MRI. Post-referral radiograph was associated with worse PROMIS Global Mental Health (p=0.013) and duration of symptoms (p=0.014). Eight of the pre-referral radiographs (2.5%) helped distinguish arthritis from adhesive capsulitis, and six (4%) of the pre-referral MRIs were useful for planning surgery. Ultimately, no images were necessary prior to referral, all could have waited for an order from the specialist.Conclusions:The finding that patient factors, including symptoms of depression or anxiety and poorer overall health correlated with pre-referral imaging suggests that non-specialists may feel pressed to order imaging when patients are more incapable, worried and despairing, perhaps to demonstrate compassion, and possibly in an attempt to prioritize specialty care. Specialists were less influenced by patient factors in ordering imaging tests, perhaps due to a more selective and discerning use of tests largely for planning surgery on discrete pathology. Given that pre-referral imaging does little to influence specialist management, a preferred approach may be immediate specialist referral or electronic consultation without imaging when typical supportive treatments such as a simple set of rotator cuff strengthening exercises are unsatisfying to the patient.

MRI findings in atraumatic shoulder pain—patterns of disease correlated with age and gender

BackgroundThe rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons which support the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff disease is a frequent cause of morbidity in adulthood.AimsThe aims of his study are to determine the prevalence and patterns of rotator cuff derangement in symptomatic patients using MRI and to attempt to correlate identified patterns of disease with age and genderMethodsFive hundred ninety-seven patients attending for MRI of the shoulder with atraumatic shoulder pain were included for study. Patients’ age and gender was recorded. Record was made of the presence or absence of rotator cuff derangement and of degenerative change in the AC and glenohumeral joints. Correlation was made between age and gender.ResultsThere were 358 males (60%) and 239 females (40%) with a mean age of 49.4 ± 17.1 years. Subacromial bursitis was identified in 517 patients. A normal supraspinatus tendon was identified in 219 patients and supraspinatus full thickness tearing was identified in 102 patients. A normal AC joint was identified in 267 patients while degenerative AC joint changes were identified in 370 patients. A significant correlation was identified between age and rotator cuff derangement (p < .001) and between age and AC joint derangement (p < .001). No significant difference was identified between gender and patterns of cuff derangementConclusionThe extent of rotator cuff and AC joint derangement increases with ageing. Impingement appears to trigger a cascade of events in sequence, from isolated subacromial bursitis through to supraspinatus tendon tearing. Patterns of rotator cuff derangement are similar in men and women.

The impact of self-efficacy on nonoperative treatment of atraumatic shoulder pain.

Atraumatic shoulder pain is frequently encountered in primary care and surgical clinics. With increased recognition of the biopsychosocial model, there has been an increased emphasis on identifying patient factors associated with less effective coping strategies such as pain catastrophizing. It remains uncertain what impact self-efficacy has on the response to nonoperative treatment of shoulder pain. Our purpose is to determine the influence of patient coping strategies (self-efficacy) on the outcome of nonoperative treatment of atraumatic shoulder pain. We hypothesize that higher levels of self-efficacy are associated with increased self-reported function after nonoperative treatment. We conducted a retrospective case-control study for a consecutive series of patients seen in our clinic with nonoperatively managed atraumatic shoulder pain. Baseline demographics and range of motion were recorded. Patients completed the Simple Shoulder Test (SST), PROMIS Pain Interference (PI), and PROMIS Self-Efficacy for Managing Symptoms (SE). After 3months of nonoperative treatment, patients were placed into two groups: patients who clinically improved (Group 1) and those that did not (Group 2), with clinical improvement defined as an increase of 2 or greater on the SST. Seventy-eight patients returned for follow-up and completed all questionnaires. There were no statistically significant differences for age, sex, or tobacco use between the two groups. Half of the patients in our series had symptoms for >12months, with rotator cuff syndrome being the most frequent diagnosis (40.0%). Patients in Group 1 had significantly higher PROMIS SE scores (42 vs. 39, p=0.0094) at initial evaluation. At 3-month follow-up, patients in Group 1 also had significantly lower Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) scores (4.5 vs. 6.5, p=0.0067), compared to Group 2. Patients who experience clinical improvement with nonoperative treatment of atraumatic shoulder conditions demonstrate higher self-efficacy than patients who fail to improve. Guiding patients with atraumatic shoulder pain and low self-efficacy toward interventions aimed at improving coping strategies, rather than addressing musculoskeletal factors alone, may contribute to the goal of improving outcomes.

The relationship between musculoskeletal health literacy and upper extremity patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in the setting of atraumatic shoulder pain

IntroductionPatient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are commonly utilized to assess patient-derived orthopaedic health status and function. The prevalence of limited musculoskeletal health literacy (MHL) has been demonstrated to be high within the orthopaedic literature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between MHL and upper extremity-specific PROMs and to determine which patient- and symptom-related factors affect baseline PROMs in patients with atraumatic shoulder pain. HypothesisPatients with limited MHL would demonstrate lower median scores on baseline PROMs compared with those with adequate MHL. Materials and methodsNew patients with atraumatic shoulder pain presenting to an academic practice were administered the Literacy in Musculoskeletal Problems (LiMP), in addition to the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH), and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) questionnaires. A detailed physical exam and history was performed by a fellowship-trained shoulder surgeon. Demographic patient data, in addition to prior imaging and orthopaedic treatment, was tabulated. The association between demographics, pain-related variables, and MHL with the ASES, SANE, and QuickDASH scores were examined using Spearman correlation coefficients for continuous variables and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests for categorical variables. Non-parametric analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to examine the independent association of predictor variables with PROMs. ResultsA total of 439 patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled. The mean age was 58.8±12.6years (range: 24–93) with 162 (37%) being men. Overall, 172 patients (39.2%) attained a college degree or higher and 183 (41.7%) were currently employed. MHL was significantly associated with ASES (p=0.03), but not with the QuickDASH (p=0.75) or SANE score (p=0.16). Similarly, age, having been in the medical profession or having previously visited an orthopaedist were not associated with PROMs, while employment status correlated to the SANE score (p=0.002). Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain level demonstrated varying strengths of association with each of the scores [ASES (r=−0.729, p<0.001), QuickDASH (r=0.557, p<0.001), and SANE (r=−0.430, p<0.001)]. MHL demonstrated no association with initial patient-derived treatment selection. DiscussionThe SANE and QuickDASH may be administered to patients presenting for atraumatic shoulder pain in the outpatient setting regardless of MHL. Further research should be focused on the utility of the ASES instrument amongst patients with lower educational levels and/or limited MHL. Level of evidenceII; diagnostic.

Shoulder Pain of Spinal Source in the Military: A Case Series.

Musculoskeletal injury (MSI) presents the greatest threat to military mission readiness. Atraumatic shoulder pain is a common military MSI that often results in persistent functional limitations. Shoulder orthopedic evaluation presents many diagnostic challenges, due in part to the possibility of a spinal source of symptoms. This case series outlines the use of mechanical diagnosis and therapy to screen the cervical and thoracic spine in active duty (AD) service members (SMs) with a chief complaint of unchanging or worsening shoulder pain. All three SMs previously received shoulder-specific diagnoses from experienced clinicians, yet repeated movements revealed a possible spinal nociceptive driver that guided targeted intervention. Treatment directed only at the cervical spine resulted in a clinically important improvement within an average of 10 days from the initial evaluation, return to duty (RTD) within an average of 32 days, and continued resolution at 3 months. SMs can independently complete the screening process with guidance from healthcare providers, ultimately shaping the treatment strategy and possibly facilitating self-management of future recurrence. This case series demonstrates that identification of shoulder pain of spinal source in the military population may be an important step in facilitating timely RTD. These cases also highlight the use of a standardized, systematic method to screen the cervical and thoracic spine that concurrently reveals the indicated treatment. Further research to determine the prevalence of shoulder pain of spinal source in the AD population and its impact on RTD rates has the potential to reduce the substantial burden of MSI in the military.

The dervan upper limb dermatome syndrome pilot study of high incidence of cervical disc disease in patients presenting with primary shoulder pain &amp; restriction of movements

Introduction: Shoulder pain is among the most common complaints in the orthopedic outpatient department. It can be due to local pathology or a referred pain from cervical disc degeneration. Frequently, neck and shoulder pathologies may co-exist causing a dilemma regarding treatment approach. Although there are many studies published in literature, we think ours is the first published Indian study to make the observation of concomitant cervical disc degeneration in patients with ipsilateral shoulder pain.Materials & Methods: 39 patients with shoulder pain without any history of trauma, attended the OPD of Walawalkar hospital, Dervan. Of the 3 patients 32 agreed to be part of this pilot study. They underwent x rays & MRI of the shoulder as well as cervical spine.Results: All patients who presented in the orthopaedicopd with complaints of atraumatic shoulder pain, showed varying degrees of cervical disc disease. The commonest affected cervical spine pathological segment was C5-C6 i.e 92 % with two patients having C6-C7 disc disease i.e 8 %.Grading of disc disease was 78.1 % grade 28, 6 patients had grade 3 disc disease, 18.75 %, and only 1 patient had a grade 1 disease with typical signs of chemical radiculopathy with shoulder pain & restriction.X Ray of shoulder showed normal acromiohumeral distance of more than 7 mm in more than 70 % of patients and less than 2 mm in only 1 patient who also incidentally had grade 3 disc disease.MRI of shoulder showed 78 % patients with grade 2 or less of Goutallier grading [9] and all patients of Grade 3 disc disease having grade 3 Goutallier grading and a positive Tangent sign [10]. (18.75 %)This may open another vista in investigation of degenerative rotator cuff disease mimicking grading and severity of cervical disc disease although that is not the primary objective of this paper. We aimed to bring to light the concomitant cervical spine pathology in patients presenting with shoulder pain in this original research. Conclusion: This study found an unusually high rate of coexistent shoulder and cervical spine pathologies. Almost all patients had some form of cervical disc disease and on deeper questioning related signs and symptoms of cervical spondylosis concurrently or a few weeks ago. It undermines the need for investigating this important contributor, the cervical spine, to clinically diagnose the enigma of shoulder pain.

Patient Preferences for Plain Radiographs in the Setting of Atraumatic Shoulder Pain: Which Factors Influence Their Decision?

Plain radiographs of the shoulder are routinely obtained for patients presenting with atraumatic shoulder pain, although the diagnostic utility of this imaging modality is unclear. Despite this, patients often prefer to obtain radiographs and may associate them with a more satisfactory visit. New patients presenting with atraumatic shoulder pain were provided with information regarding the potential advantages and disadvantages of plain radiographs as part of their visit. Patients then decided whether to receive radiographs and baseline patient demographics were collected. A detailed physical examination and history was performed by a fellowship-trained provider, and a preliminary diagnosis and tentative treatment plan was formulated. The radiographs were then reviewed to determine whether the diagnosis and treatment plan was altered by addition of the radiographs. Patients who opted for radiographs then reported whether they felt the radiographs aided in diagnosis and treatment and whether the addition of the radiograph influenced their visit satisfaction. A total of 220 patients met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 121 patients (55%) requested a radiograph. The mean age was 57.1 ± 16.1 years (range, 18 to 91 years). Lack of bachelor's degree (odds ratio [OR], 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 6.2; P = 0.01), lack of previous contralateral shoulder pain (OR, 4.0; 95% CI, 2.0 to 8.2; P = 0.0001), and lack of a previous shoulder radiograph (OR, 8.4; 95% CI, 4.1 to 16.9; P < 0.0001) or MRI within the last 6 months (OR, 6.2; 95% CI, 1.4 to 26.8; P = 0.01) were independently associated with patient preference to obtain radiographs for atraumatic shoulder pain. Of the 121 patients who requested radiographs, 117 (96.7%) felt that radiographs improved their satisfaction. Patients who obtained radiographs overwhelmingly reported its importance in improving visit satisfaction and diagnostic accuracy. Given the increasing emphasis on shared decision making, further study of patient factors influencing the decision to obtain routine radiographs will lead to more efficient practice management and potentially improved patient satisfaction. Level II (Diagnostic).

Influenza Vaccination Is Not Associated with Increased Number of Visits for Shoulder Pain.

Shoulder injury from vaccination was approved for automatic compensation from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)-a federal government program started in 1988 to shield the manufacturers of childhood vaccines from liability. The approval was made on the basis of case reports rather than experimental evidence. This, combined with the addition of influenza vaccination to the VICP in 2005 (which broadened coverage to include adults) and other social factors, was associated with a rapid rise in the number of claims of shoulder injury from vaccination over the last decade, which now account for more than half of all claims to the VICP. Given the high prevalence of newly symptomatic sources of shoulder pain such as rotator cuff tendinopathy, combined with the high prevalence of annual influenza vaccinations, there is a substantial risk of overlap leading to the post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy ("after this, therefore because of this") contributing to misdiagnosis and inappropriate management of patients that perceive injury from vaccination. Records of medical care after a large number of vaccinations have a good chance of detecting serious shoulder pathology, even it is uncommon, which would result in an increased prevalence of visits for shoulder problems and specific types of shoulder pathology. Is there a difference in the proportion of visits for shoulder pain within 3 months before and after vaccination among students and faculty receiving an influenza vaccination in the shoulder? We studied people who were vaccinated for influenza between 2009 and 2018 at a university health service. During the study period, a comprehensive billing database identified 24,206 influenza vaccinations administered to 12,870 people (median age 20 years, range 16-77; 57% women). We had 80% power to detect a 0.1% increase in the proportion of shoulder problems after vaccination compared with before vaccination. Visits with coded ICD-9 shoulder diagnoses were identified from the electronic medical record. We compared the proportion of shoulder evaluations within 3 months before and 3 months after vaccination. With the numbers available, the proportion of visits for shoulder problems were not different before (1.1% [52 of 4801]) and after vaccination (1% [40 of 3977], risk ratio 1.1 [95% CI 0.8 to 1.5]; p = 0.72). Among all vaccinations, 49% (11,834 of 24,206) were preceded or followed by an appointment within 3 months before (20% [4801 of 24,206]), after (16% [3977]), or both before and after (13% [3056]) vaccine administration, and 1.4% (170) of these visits were related to a shoulder issue. The most common reason for shoulder-related appointments was atraumatic shoulder pain (79% [134 of 170]). Shoulder symptoms sufficient to seek care are notably common, even among relatively young adults, and are not more common after vaccination. Although this does not rule out an important rare pathology specific to vaccination, it seems important to consider the potential harms of assuming, based largely on chronology, that persistent shoulder pain after vaccination-something expected to be common based merely on the anticipated frequency of overlap of vaccination and common shoulder problems-represents harm from vaccine. Level III, therapeutic study.

A value-based care analysis of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with suspected rotator cuff tendinopathy and the implicated role of conservative management

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often used to evaluate the integrity of the rotator cuff in patients with suspected full-thickness rotator cuff tears or other cuff tendinopathies. The value of advanced imaging value comes into question when it is used as the initial musculoskeletal imaging test before a trial of conservative therapy in patients with atraumatic shoulder pain, minimal to no strength deficits on examination, and suspected cuff tendinopathy. A prospective study of a group of patients suspected to have cuff tendinopathy based on clinical findings was performed. Every patient underwent MRI and was offered an initial trial of conservative management. Patients had an average follow-up of 28.3 ± 5.3 months after imaging to determine whether surgery was performed. A total of 51 patients were included in this study. Of this cohort, 46 (90.2%) patients did not go on to surgical intervention, whereas 5 (9.8%) patients did at an average 68.3 days after imaging. These results suggest that over 90.2% of patients (46 of 51) had premature MRI, posing an unnecessary economic burden of $181,619 in advanced imaging charges. The use of MRI before a trial of conservative management in patients with atraumatic shoulder pain, minimal to no strength deficits on physical examination, and suspected cuff tendinopathy other than full-thickness tears provides negative value in the management of these patients, at both the individual and population level.

First Rib Stress Fracture in Overhead Throwing Athletes

Objectives:First-rib stress fractures as a potential cause for non-specific atraumatic chronic shoulder pain in adolescent athletes. However, etiology on throwing athletes with first rib fracture have not been still unknown. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate characteristic clinical features and radiographic findings of patients with the first rib fracture in overhead throwing athletes.Methods:Twenty-four cases of first rib stress fracture in 23 players were studied retrospectively. We reviewed clinical features, including age, initial symptom, sports, activity related to pain, method of diagnose, method of treatment, and final follow-up.Results:We found characteristic clinical features as follows; 16.8 years (13-25), 19 dominant side injury and 5 non-dominant injury, an acute increase in pain while swinging the bat (9 cases) or pitching the ball (6 cases). Sixteen cases presented with posterior shoulder, inferior or medial border of the scapula, upper thoracic back pain. The current study showed 17 healing on average 3.8 month after conservative treatment and 7 nonunion of throwing athlete with the first rib stress fracture, (69.6%, 30.4%, respectively). Analysis on radiographs and CT revealed that the first rib stress fractures were classified into 3 types depends on direction and portion of fracture lines: Groove type, fracture line along with the subclavian artery groove; Intrascalene type, fracture line inside the middle scalene muscle insertion; and Posterior type, fracture beside to the costovertebral articulation (Figure 1 a-c). A 3-dimensional CT angiography showed that fracture line in the Groove type was consistent with the subclavian artery and fracture line in the Intrascalene type was different to the subclavian artery (Figure 2 a-f).We found 2 symptomatic cases and they had the first rib resection cause of thoracic outlet syndrome. We calculated percent availability of the first rib based on the measurements of 2 different observers. Percent availability of the shoulder and cervical spine radiographs were 46% and 97%, respectively. The Cohen’s kappa coefficient and percent agreement of the shoulder and cervical spine were 0.87, 89.4% and 0.80, 99.0%, respectively.Conclusion:We should consider the first rib stress fracture when teenage overhead athletes have posterior shoulder pain and acute onset while swinging the bat or pitching the ball. An anteroposterior radiograph of the cervical spine was available for initial diagnose. Although 70% of the patients would heal in 3 months with conservative treatments, some patients may have a symptom like thoracic outlet syndrome.

Structured reporting of x-rays for atraumatic shoulder pain: advantages over free text?

BackgroundTo analyse structured and free text reports of shoulder X-ray examinations evaluating the quality of reports and potential contributions to clinical decision-making.MethodsWe acquired both standard free text and structured reports of 31 patients with a painful shoulder without history of previous trauma who received X-ray exams. A template was created for the structured report based on the template ID 0000154 (Shoulder X-ray) from radreport.org using online software with clickable decision trees with concomitant generation of structured semantic reports. All reports were evaluated regarding overall quality and key features: content, information extraction and clinical relevance.ResultsTwo experienced orthopaedic surgeons reviewed and rated structured and free text reports of 31 patients independently. The structured reports achieved significantly higher median ratings in all key features evaluated (P < 0.001), including facilitation of information extraction (P < 0.001) and better contribution to subsequent clinical decision-making (P < 0.001). The overall quality of structured reports was significantly higher than in free text report (P < 0.001).ConclusionsA comprehensive structured template may be a useful tool to assist in clinical decision-making and is, thus, recommended for the reporting of degenerative changes regarding X-ray examinations of the shoulder.

Trifurcate Origin of Long Head of Biceps Brachii: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Introduction:Variant anatomy of the intra-articular portion of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) is rare, and its clinical significance is poorly understood. However, these variants are encountered with increasing frequency due to increasing use of shoulder arthroscopy.Case Report:We report a case of a trifurcate intra-articular LHBT, a variation which, to our knowledge, has not been previously described. The patient was an adult male presenting with chronic atraumatic shoulder pain that worsened with overhead activity. On arthroscopy, the LHBT was found to have three origins from the (1) supraspinatus tendon, (2) superior labrum, and (3) rotator interval that joined together distally within the biceps tunnel. We believe the split tendon may have caused impingement the biceps tunnel; therefore, the patient was treated with subpectoral tenodesis. He also underwent subacromial decompression and rotator cuff debridement.Conclusion:This case highlights the importance of surgeon and radiologist awareness of split LHBT variant anatomy, such that misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment may be avoided.

CHANGING OUR DIAGNOSTIC PARADIGM: MOVEMENT SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC CLASSIFICATION

Proper diagnosis is a first step in applying best available treatments, and prognosticating outcomes for clients. Currently, the majority of musculoskeletal diagnoses are classified according to pathoanatomy. However, the majority of physical therapy treatments are applied toward movement system impairments or pain. While advocated within the physical therapy profession for over thirty years, diagnostic classification within a movement system framework has not been uniformly developed or adopted. We propose a basic framework and rationale for application of a movement system diagnostic classification for atraumatic shoulder pain conditions, as a case for the broader development of movement system diagnostic labels. Shifting our diagnostic paradigm has potential to enhance communication, improve educational efficiency, facilitate research, directly link to function, improve clinical care, and accelerate preventive interventions.

Acute Atraumatic Shoulder Pain in a 39 Year Old Female

Acute Atraumatic Shoulder Pain in a 39 Year Old Female

Chondroblastoma: An Unusual Cause Of Shoulder Pain In Adolescence.

Chondroblastoma is a rare benign bone tumor, most often localized in the epiphysis of long bones. We report a case of atraumatic shoulder pain in a 17-year old soccer player. This chondroblastoma case demonstrates the difficult differentiation of chondroblastoma from giant cell tumor and clear cell chondrosarcoma and highlights possible pitfalls and clinical importance.