What can we expect from nonoperative treatment options for shoulder pain?

■ QUICK DIAGNOSTIC REVIEW Consider the patient’s age, history of trauma, details of injury, and previous shoulder problems. Observe the patient’s general movements, assess range of motion, and use provocative testing to form a differential diagnosis (Figure 1). If the diagnosis is unclear, arrange for imaging studies (Table 1). A more thorough review for diagnosing shoulder pain may be found in the article “Approach to the patient with shoulder pain” (J Fam Pract 2002; 7:605–611). The conditions causing shoulder pain (in order of frequency, as seen by primary care physicians) are subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS), adhesive capsulitis, acute bursitis, calcific tendinitis, glenohumeral arthrosis, biceps tendinitis, and labral tear.