CME expires September 30, 2027

Improve patient care and advance your clinical skills in orthopaedics.

The Orthopaedic Care for Physician Assistants: Shoulder Care Series provides a detailed and thorough guide for physician assistants and allied health professionals specializing in orthopaedic care, focusing on the shoulder, which is a critical anatomic area prone to various conditions in adults. The Shoulder Care Series covers various aspects of the diagnosis and management of acute injuries, such as fractures, dislocations, and acute tendon ruptures; chronic and repetitive injuries, such as impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tears, and biceps tendon ruptures; and degenerative, inflammatory, and idiopathic conditions, including glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joint arthritis and adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). Diagnosis primarily is based on a detailed patient history, a thorough physical examination, and imaging studies.

The primary symptoms addressed include pain and instability, with other symptoms, such as decreased motion, power, or function, occasionally accompanying these primary symptoms. The Shoulder Care Series systematically categorizes shoulder conditions based on the chronicity of symptoms and patient age, aiding in a concise differential diagnosis. For example, acute symptoms often indicate traumatic injury, whereas chronic pain may indicate conditions such as acromioclavicular joint arthritis or rotator cuff pathology. Instability is classified based on the frequency and direction of symptomatic episodes, with anterior dislocation being the most common.

The course outlines various treatment strategies, from nonsurgical management, such as home exercise programs, to surgical management, if necessary. Rehabilitation protocols are emphasized, with a focus on reducing pain, improving mobility, and strengthening the musculoskeletal components of the shoulder. The course also highlights potential adverse outcomes of management and the importance of proper referral in complex cases.

Editor   
James M. Gregory, MD, FAAOS 

Learning Objectives

• Explain the relationship between musculoskeletal shoulder anatomy and common shoulder conditions.
• Describe physical examination maneuvers necessary to diagnose shoulder pathology.
• Discuss the utility of various diagnostic tests, including plain radiography; electrodiagnostic tests; and advanced imaging, such as arthrography, CT, and MRI.
• Differentiate shoulder pathology related to acute injury, chronic or repetitive injury, and degenerative/inflammatory/idiopathic conditions.
• Outline the steps for joint injection or aspiration of the acromioclavicular joint, subacromial space, and glenohumeral joint.
• Formulate a differential diagnosis based on the patient history, physical examination findings, and diagnostic test results.
• Determine treatment strategies for common musculoskeletal shoulder conditions.
• Assess the rehabilitation protocols for common shoulder conditions.
• Recognize the potential adverse outcomes of the management of common shoulder conditions.
• Identify red flags in patients with shoulder pathology and initiate appropriate referral, if necessary.

Earn up to 20 AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits™.