title: An algorithm for shoulder pain caused by soft-tissue disorders.
abstract: Painful shoulders are commonly caused by disorders of periarticular soft tissues, especially rotator cuff tendinopathies. In contrast to arthritic conditions of the shoulder, soft-tissue disorders can present a diagnostic dilemma that often results in the use of such nonspecific or unproved terminologies as periarthritis or bursitis. To promote an efficient use of investigative studies necessary to arrive at a proper diagnosis, an algorithm can serve as a guide for clinicians in the diagnosis and management of common, nonarthritic conditions of painful shoulders.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Ottawa, Canada.
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Uhthoff
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sarkar
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D010146:Pain; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D013710:Tendons / Q000473:pathology*