title: Shoulder pain in a community-based rheumatology clinic.
abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of different shoulder disorders likely to be experienced by a rheumatologist in a community-based rheumatology clinic. We assessed patients with shoulder pain presenting to a large general practice at a community-based rheumatology clinic. It was found that the more common conditions seen were rotator cuff lesions (65%), pericapsular soft tissue pain (11%), acromioclavicular joint pain (10%) and referred pain from cervical spine (5%). In conclusion this study has established the spectrum of shoulder disorders referred from general practice to a highly accessible community-based rheumatology clinic. The diagnostic processes to distinguish the different conditions rely chiefly on an accurate history and directed examination.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vecchio
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kavanagh
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Hazleman
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003153:Community Health Services; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012782:Shoulder; D012785:Shoulder Joint