title: Ultrasound imaging for tailored treatment of patients with acute shoulder pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to assess the frequencies of ultrasound findings in patients with acute rotator cuff disorders in family medicine.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective observational study, 129 patients aged 18 to 65 years with acute shoulder pain in whom the family physician suspected rotator cuff disease underwent ultrasound imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rotator cuff disease was present in 81% of the patients, and 50% of them had multiple disorders. Calcific tendonitis was the most frequently diagnosed specific disorder. An age of 40 years or older was most strongly related to rotator cuff disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasound imaging enables family physicians to rationalize treatment in nearly all patients who are aged 40 years and older with acute shoulder pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands ramon.ottenheijm@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Ramon P G
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Ottenheijm
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jochen W L
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Cals
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weijers
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Orbis Medical Centre, Sittard-Geleen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vanderdood
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rob A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: de Bie
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Geert-Jan
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Dinant
mesh_terms: D059787:Acute Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012782:Shoulder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019534:Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: family practice; rotator cuff; shoulder impingement syndrome; shoulder joint; ultrasound imaging