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Evaluation and Management of Rotator Cuff Tears: a Primary Care Perspective
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Evaluation and Management of Rotator Cuff Tears: a Primary Care Perspective

Ross Mathiasen and Christopher Hogrefe
Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine, Vol.11(1), pp.72-76
03/01/2018
DOI: 10.1007/s12178-018-9471-6
PMCID: PMC5825352
PMID: 29350325
url
https://europepmc.org/articles/pmc5825352View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Purpose of Review To provide a primary care perspective regarding the evaluation and management of shoulder pain and rotator cuff tears. Recent Findings In the primary care setting, rotator cuff pathology is commonly encountered. Information regarding the risks of oral medications for the management of the associated pain keeps mounting. Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears remain difficult to diagnose with a single imaging modality. Musculoskeletal education in medical schools and non-orthopaedic residency and fellowship training programs continues to be an area for additional improvement. Summary In the primary care office, the initial evaluation of shoulder pain should include a thorough musculoskeletal evaluation in order to identify the source of the pain (e. g., shoulder, cervical spine, chest wall), as well as the development of an initial treatment plan. Access to imaging modalities such as ultrasound and MRI can vary depending on the resources available in the primary care setting. The identification of patients who may benefit from early surgical referral is imperative for optimizing outcomes.
 Life Sciences & Biomedicine Orthopedics Science & Technology

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