Assessment and management of shoulder pain at primary care level
Date
2021-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS
Abstract
Most patients with shoulder pain will initially visit their community health centre, private general practitioner or family physician, with various levels of experience in the assessment and management of shoulder conditions. Shoulder conditions will range from early, simple ailments that can be treated in the primary care setting, to post-traumatic injuries and complex pathologies requiring the expertise of an orthopaedic surgeon or a fellowship-trained shoulder surgeon. Correct assessment of the patient’s shoulder condition at the index consultation is a prerequisite for appropriate management. This article sets out straightforward guidelines to help general practitioners confidently identify the patient’s source of shoulder pain and initiate an appropriate management plan at primary care level. Criteria for urgent and elective referral for specialist care are also outlined.
Description
CITATION: Kauta, N. et al. 2021. Assessment and management of shoulder pain at primary care level. South African Family Practice, 63(1):a5279, doi:10.4102/safp.v63i1.5279.
The original publication is available at https://safpj.co.za
The original publication is available at https://safpj.co.za
Keywords
Shoulder pain, Primary care (Medicine), Musculoskeletal system -- Wounds and injuries, Orthopedic surgery
Citation
Kauta, N. et al. 2021. Assessment and management of shoulder pain at primary care level. South African Family Practice, 63(1):a5279, doi:10.4102/safp.v63i1.5279.