Korean Journal of Acupuncture

Table. 1.

Table. 1.

Differential diagnosis through clinical symptoms and physical examination findings

Clinical symptoms and physical examination Associated disorder Probability
Normal range of motion and tendon integrity in the shoulder joint; no difficulty with arm elevation Rotator cuff lesions Low
No pain during arm elevation; normal findings in Horizontal Adduction and Hawkins-Kennedy tests Impingement syndrome Low
No tenderness in Acromioclavicular joint; no excessive stress-inducing activities on the acromioclavicular joint Acromioclavicular joint lesions Low
No signs of polyarthralgia, fatigue, morning stiffness, fever, or weight loss Rheumatoid arthritis Low
No increase in nocturnal shoulder pain; no decrease in external rotation or restriction of movement Frozen shoulder Low
No friction sounds during shoulder abduction; no swelling, heat, or muscle atrophy Bursitis Low
No sensation of burning, numbness, or paresthesia in the ulnar nerve distribution; no edema or discoloration of the limb Thoracic outlet syndrome Low
No cardiac or pulmonary history; absence of gastrointestinal disturbances; no history of trauma Other shoulder-related pathologies Low
Positive Spurling test; symptom decrease with cervical distraction; decreased sensation in the dermatome of the left C5∼C8 regions Cervical spondylosis High
Korean J Acupunct 2024;41:51-7 https://doi.org/10.14406/acu.2024.005
© 2024 Korean J Acupunct