Shoulder Assessment
Physiotherapy · Subjective & Objective Examination
SHOULDER
RightLeft
RightLeftBilat
1
Presentation & Red Flags
Red flags — screen & tick
Consider urgent / further review if any of:
No red flagsMuscle atrophyUnexplained loss of sensitivityUnexplained loss of strengthEpilepsy → risk of posterior dislocation
2
History
3
Pain
Mark pain location, type & radiation
No pain
Worst
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night
Plot key events along the line — injury, flare-ups, treatments, return to activity, milestones.
4
Lifestyle & Context
Sleep
Diet
Smoking
Alcohol
5
Clinical Reasoning Framework
Characterise the presentation — circle / annotate the relevant descriptors on each strip.
Diagnosis
Stage of disorder
Pain features
6
Flags & Whole-Person Considerations
7
Goals
8
Objective — Shoulder
Observation
Postural observation
| Scapular movement | Scapular position | Thoracic kyphosis | Forward head | Shoulder height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Range of movement + pain record response and pain for each — R / L
| Region | Movement | Right | Left | Pain / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thoracic | Rotation | |||
| Thoracic | Flexion | |||
| Thoracic | Extension | |||
| Scapula | Elevation / Depression | |||
| Scapula | Adduction / Abduction | |||
| Scapula | Internal / External rotation | |||
| Glenohumeral | Flexion | |||
| Glenohumeral | Extension | |||
| Glenohumeral | Adduction | |||
| Glenohumeral | Abduction | |||
| Glenohumeral | Internal rotation | |||
| Glenohumeral | External rotation |
Special tests — instability
| Special test | Right | Left | Finding / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relocation test | |||
| Generalized hyperlaxity | |||
| Load & shift test | |||
| Sulcus sign | |||
| Apprehension test | |||
| Posterior subluxation test | |||
| Jerk test | |||
| GIRD difference > 25° in the total IR / ER arc |
Special tests — rotator cuff & labrum
| Special test | Right | Left | Finding / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belly press test | |||
| Bear hug test | |||
| Lag sign | |||
| McClure test | |||
| O'Brien test | |||
| Full can test | |||
| Empty can test |
Special tests — scapula
| Special test | Right | Left | Finding / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scapular assistance test | |||
| Scapular retraction test | |||
| Scapular dyskinesis test |
Modification of symptoms
| Technique | Right | Left | Effect on symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scapular assistance | |||
| Scapular retraction | |||
| GHJ mobilisation | |||
| ACJ mobilisation | |||
| SCJ mobilisation |
Neurodynamic tests
| Special test | Right | Left | Finding / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ULNT1 — median nerve | |||
| ULNT2B — radial nerve | |||
| ULNT3 — ulnar nerve |
9
Functional Assessment
Static observation
| Scapular position | Thoracic posture | Cervical posture | Scapular symmetry | Ratios |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Functional movement
| Task | Right | Left | Observation / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overhead movement | |||
| Elevation | |||
| Push | |||
| Push-up scapula | |||
| Pull | |||
| Pull-up scapula | |||
| Internal rotation | |||
| External rotation | |||
| Trap 3 | |||
| Prone T | |||
| Prone Y | |||
| Y raise | |||
| Serratus wall slide | |||
| Lower trap raise | |||
| Others |
Stability & weight-bearing
| Task | Right | Left | Observation / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plank — elbows | |||
| Plank — wrists | |||
| Side plank | |||
| Commando plank | |||
| Weight-bearing upper limb | |||
| KB bottom-up | |||
| Savickas KB | |||
| Others |
10
Adjacent Joints
Cervical
ROM · Chin-in · Flexor endurance
Thoracic
Flexion · Extension · Rotation · Thoracic mobility
11
Others
12
Retest
| Date | Test / measure | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
13
Questionnaires
Patient-reported outcome measures — record the score at baseline and at each retest.
| Questionnaire | Date | Score | Notes / interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) | |||
| QuickDASH | |||
| DN4 — neuropathic pain |
14