{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"172. Shoulder pain assessment & clinical reasoning. Physio Edge Shoulder Success podcast with Jo Gibson","description":" Your patient presents with shoulder pain, and straight away you need to identify: Is it rotator cuff related shoulder pain, frozen shoulder, instability, or something else entirely? Is it rotator cuff related shoulder pain, frozen shoulder, instability, or something else entirely? Is the pain actually coming from the shoulder? Could it be the cervical spine? Is there a tear that needs urgent referral? Should you order imaging? Refer to a surgeon? Or confidently continue with rehab? In this podcast, Jo Gibson (Upper Limb Rehabilitation Specialist Physio) guides you through a simple, evidence-informed clinical reasoning framework to help you confidently assess and treat patients with shoulder pain. Drawing on decades of clinical experience and the latest research, Jo breaks down four essential questions you need to ask in every shoulder assessment\u2014helping you identify red flags, tailor your treatment plan, and avoid common diagnostic pitfalls. In this episode, you\u2019ll discover: How to distinguish shoulder pain from cervical spine referral Key subjective clues that guide your diagnosis and treatment decisions Whether it\u2019s \u201ctorn\u201d\u2014and how to know if a surgical referral is appropriate Clinical signs that help differentiate frozen shoulder from other causes of stiffness Why pain irritability matters\u2014and how it impacts your rehab approach When to use (and when to avoid) imaging How to identify instability and assess the likelihood of recurrence What assessment tests to perform in your objective examination The real value\u2014and limitations\u2014of special tests like the Hawkins-Kennedy, drop arm, Hornblower\u2019s, and more. How to modify testing to better isolate rotator cuff contributions Why symptom modification tests are useful\u2014and what they tell you How to help your patient overcome fear, regain confidence, and move again What research says about exercise prescription, and how many exercises you should give patients Listen in to strengthen your clinical reasoning and give your shoulder assessments a clear structure that helps you feel more confident\u2014and gets better outcomes for your patients. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 03:12 - Subjective clues that guide diagnosis 04:33 - What to call shoulder pain? RCRSP or SAP? 06:04 - 4 key questions to ask 06:29 - Cervical spine driven shoulder pain 10:03 - Is it torn and does it matter? 11:29 - Traumatic dislocations 12:37 - Special tests in the "Is it torn" group 15:56 - Is it stiff? 17:36 - Is it irritable? 20:38 - Can I change it? 23:05 - Summary Click on an image below to access these free resources from Jo Gibson and Clinical Edge The handout for this podcast consists of a transcript associated with this podcast. Shoulder: Steps to Success online course with Jo Gibson Improve your assessment and treatment of shoulder pain with the Shoulder: Steps to Success online course with Jo Gibson, now available for enrolment at clinicaledge.co\/shouldersuccess Free trial Clinical Edge membership Use a fresh approach to your musculoskeletal and sports injury treatment with a free trial Clinical Edge membership at clinicaledge.co\/freetrial Links associated with this episode: Free video series - How to be a shoulder detective: Solving acute shoulder pain with Jo Gibson Get your access to the free video series \u201cFrozen shoulder assessment & treatment\u201d with Jo Gibson Improve your shoulder assessment & treatment with the Shoulder: Steps to Success online course with Jo Gibson Improve your confidence and clinical reasoning with a free trial Clinical Edge membership Join Jo Gibson live on Facebook & ask your shoulder related questions every Monday Download and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes Download the podcast now using the best podcast app currently in existence - Overcast Listen to the podcast on Spotify Jo Gibson on Twitter Let David know what you liked about this podcast on Twitter Review the podcast on iTunes Infographics by Clinical Edge Chapters: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:12 - Subjective clues that guide diagnosis 00:04:33 - What to call shoulder pain? RCRSP or SAP? 00:06:04 - 4 key questions to ask 00:06:29 - Cervical spine driven shoulder pain 00:10:03 - Is it torn and does it matter? 00:11:29 - Traumatic dislocations 00:12:37 - Special tests in the "Is it torn" group 00:15:56 - Is it stiff? 00:17:36 - Is it irritable? 00:20:38 - Can I change it? 00:23:05 - Summary ","author_name":"Physio Edge podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/www.clinicaledge.co","html":"