Shoulder Problems & Diagnosis

Problem Intensity	Problem Cause	Pain when	Location	Preliminary Diagnosis	Recommendation
Severe (>8/10 Pain)	Impact or collision	Touching injury	Front and side of shoulder	Shoulder Dislocation Bankart Tear Rotator Cuff Tear	See Emergency Dr & Orthopaedic Surgeon
	Fall onoutstretched arm	Touching injury	Top of shoulder	AC Joint Separation Fractured Clavicle Rotator Cuff Tear Biceps Tear
	Throwing action	Moving arm	Top of shoulder
	Pulling action	Moving arm	Back of Shoulder	Shoulder Fracture Posterior Shoulder Dislocation
Moderate Severity (6-8/10 Pain)	Impact or collision	Touching injury	Front and side	Shoulder Subluxation Bankart Tear Rotator Cuff Tear	See your GP & Orthopaedic Surgeon Checkup
	Fall on outstretched arm	Touching injury	Top of shoulder	Moderate AC Joint Separation SLAP Tear Rotator Cuff Tear
	Throwing action	Moving arm	Top of shoulder	Moderate AC Joint Separation SLAP Tear Rotator Cuff Tear
	Pulling action	Moving arm	Back of Shoulder	Moderate Posterior Subluxation
Minimal Severity (<5/10 Pain)	Impact or collision	Touching injury	Front and side	Shoulder Subluxation	See your Physio
	Fall on outstretched arm	Touching injury	Top of shoulder	Minor AC Joint Separation Bicep Impingement Rotator Cuff Impingement
	Throwing action	Moving arm	Top of shoulder
	Pulling action	Moving arm	Back of Shoulder	Minor Posterior Subluxation

Problem Intensity	Problem Cause	Pain when	Location	Preliminary Diagnosis	Recommendation
Severe (>8/10 Pain)	Disease or Repetitive Injury to Shoulder	Strong Constant pain	Front and side	Severe Shoulder Arthritis Severe Chronic Shoulder Injury Rotator Cuff Impingement	See your GP & Orthopaedic Surgeon
		When Touching or Moving Shoulder	Top of shoulder	AC Joint Arthritis Biceps Tendinopathy
		When Touching or Moving Shoulder	Back of Shoulder	Severe Chronic Posterior Subluxation
Moderate Severity (6-8/10 Pain)	Disease or Repetitive Injury to Shoulder	Moderately Present Pain	Front and side	Moderate Shoulder Arthritis Moderate Chronic Injury or Rotator Cuff Impingement	See your GP & Orthopaedic Surgeon Checkup
		When Touching or Moving Shoulder	Top of shoulder	Moderate AC Joint Arthritis Biceps Tendinopathy
		When Touching or Moving Shoulder	Back of Shoulder	Moderate Chronic Posterior Subluxation
Minimal Severity (<5/10 Pain)	Disease or Repetitive Injury to Shoulder	Minimally Present pain	Front and side	Minimal Shoulder Arthritis Minimal Chronic Injury or Rotator Cuff Impingement	See your Physio
		When Touching or Moving Shoulder	Top of shoulder	AC Joint Arthritis Minor Biceps Tendinopathy
		When Touching or Moving Shoulder	Back of Shoulder	Minor Chronic Posterior Subluxation