title: Shoulder injuries - management in general practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Shoulder injuries are common in the primary care setting, yet general practitioners may feel unequipped to confidently assess the patient presenting with shoulder pain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article provides a framework for the initial assessment of a patient presenting with an injured shoulder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A solid understanding of the anatomy and unique features of the shoulder is important to adequately assess any injury. A focused history needs to particularly explore the mechanism of injury, the type of dysfunction and the nature of the pain. On examination, particular attention should be paid to loss of symmetry, localisation of tenderness and the range of movement.
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal & Sports Medicine, Clinical Skills Unit, School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Queensland. shane.brun@jcu.edu.au
authors.forename: Shane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brun
mesh_terms: D000173:Acromioclavicular Joint / Q000293:injuries; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D019534:Shoulder Impingement Syndrome; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy