VIDEO: Introduction

The following videos demonstrate tests that can be used in patients with shoulder involvement and encourage examiners to think in multiple areas. During the examination, the cause of the problem should be identified with differential diagnosis, bearing in mind that a physiotherapy diagnosis cannot be made based on the results of a single examination. The deviation from the physiological values, the positive test result, only gives the specialists a direction for a more thorough investigation of the suspected problem (which segment, anatomical formula, deviation could be the cause). In each case, it must be decided whether the physiotherapist is suitable for the precise identification of the causes, or whether it is necessary to seek the help of another specialist. 

The presented tests are selected options for planning a comprehensive examination, additional tests will be available in the manual. 

During the interview with the patient’s, ask about the characteristics of the indicated pathologies: Red Flags. 

What are the present symptoms and complaints? Where and when does pain occur? (pain at night: inflammation, tumour, hot area, redness, swelling – infection) 

– Has the patient had any accidents or injuries in the last few days? (acute injury: bruise, sprain, accident, haemorrhage, deformity, pain – dislocatio = TRAUMA), no instability 

– Are blood pressure and pulse values adequate? 

– Any other symptoms? (MIA – cold sweats, chest pain, dizziness, nausea; tension, muscle fever-like pain – compartment syndrome, thrombosis; side injury, panic disorder, etc.) 

Stiff joints? Lack of mobility? Where? Feels it? When does the patient feel it? How long has he/she felt it? 

In our case: although he has had similar pain in the past, it has gone away on its own – he tends to have pain in his back 

– has he/she had any other tests recently? – OP examination normal 

– what can’t he/she do?  

– what is the problem? – clarify the main functional deficits 

– what can he/she do, what will it take for the symptoms to subside, if they subside? 

– can’t raise his/her arm above his head properly 

For the following examinations, the patient needs to be aware that pain may be induced during the examination and that pain may sometimes be provoked to identify the underlying cause(s).