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Observational Study
. 2015 Jan-Feb;13(1):53-5.
doi: 10.1370/afm.1734.

Ultrasound imaging for tailored treatment of patients with acute shoulder pain

Ramon P G Ottenheijm  1 , Jochen W L Cals  2 , René Weijers  3 , Kurt Vanderdood  4 , Rob A de Bie  5 , Geert-Jan Dinant  2
Affiliations
Observational Study

Ultrasound imaging for tailored treatment of patients with acute shoulder pain

Ramon P G Ottenheijm et al. Ann Fam Med. 2015 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Purpose: 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.

Keywords: family practice; rotator cuff; shoulder impingement syndrome; shoulder joint; ultrasound imaging.

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References

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