Shoulder Pain Assessment and Management Techniques
Summary
Shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints worldwide, often arising from rotator cuff disorders, adhesive capsulitis, subacromial impingement and glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis. Assessment typically begins with a detailed history and physical examination, focusing on pain location, range of motion, strength testing and provocative clinical manoeuvres. Imaging modalities such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance are reserved for cases where structural pathology is suspected or conservative management fails. Non-operative management remains the cornerstone of treatment and includes exercise-based physiotherapy, manual therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and, where appropriate, corticosteroid injections. Surgical interventions, including arthroscopic subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair, are considered for patients with persistent symptoms or significant structural lesions. In recent years, technological advances have enabled telerehabilitation and remote monitoring using wearable sensors, while artificial intelligence algorithms have begun to support exercise classification and adherence tracking. These innovations promise to enhance accessibility, personalise care pathways and improve long-term outcomes, particularly in regions with limited access to specialist services.
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Shoulder Pain Assessment and Management Techniques publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in shoulder pain assessment and management techniques across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Rotator cuff: Group of muscles and tendons that stabilise and move the shoulder joint.
Adhesive capsulitis: Condition characterised by painful stiffness and reduced range of motion in the shoulder, also known as frozen shoulder.
Telerehabilitation: Delivery of rehabilitation services remotely via digital communication technologies.
Inertial measurement unit (IMU): Sensor device that measures acceleration, angular velocity and orientation to capture movement data.
Deep neural network (DNN): Machine learning model composed of multiple layers of interconnected nodes used for pattern recognition and classification.
References
- Comparing Digital to Conventional Physical Therapy for Chronic Shoulder Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research (2023).
- Deep learning model for classifying shoulder pain rehabilitation exercises using IMU sensor. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation (2024).
- Advanced Home-Based Shoulder Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review of Remote Monitoring Devices and Their Therapeutic Efficacy. Sensors (2024).
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