Upper Limb Rehabilitation Specialist Jo Gibson explores an intriguing case of an 84-year-old man with a massive rotator cuff tear of the supraspinatus and partial subscapularis tear. Despite his long history of shoulder issues, he’s improving, but constant pain and intermittent numbness in his posterior arm and into his hand complicate the situation.

In this podcast, you’ll explore:

• What a massive rotator cuff tear (MRCT) is
• Common pain patterns with rotator cuff tears
• Why the Suprascapular nerve can be affected in MRCT’s
• How to set realistic expectations with patients about their recovery
• Common causes of pain into the posterior arm, wrist and hand
• How to differentially diagnose shoulder, arm and hand pain
• Assessment tests to identify and exclude cervical involvement
• When nerve conduction tests or EMG should be performed
• Rehabilitation ideas for this patient

Listen to this podcast now to improve your rehabilitation of shoulder & arm pain and rotator cuff tears.

Free shoulder assessment infographic series

Click here to access the free shoulder infographic series and learn how to easily assess shoulder pain patients with this simple 6-step shoulder assessment from Jo Gibson

The handout for this podcast consists of a transcript and research articles referenced in this podcast.

Click here for the free webinar with Jo Gibson “Rotator cuff revealed! Rehab & reasoning”.

Shoulder: Steps to Success online course with Jo Gibson

Improve your assessment and treatment of shoulder pain with the Shoulder: Steps to Success online course with Jo Gibson, now available for enrolment at clinicaledge.co/shouldersuccess

Online course “Frozen shoulder assessment & treatment” with Jo Gibson

Improve your frozen shoulder assessment and treatment now with Jo Gibson’s online course

Free trial Clinical Edge membership

Use a fresh approach to your musculoskeletal and sports injury treatment with a free trial Clinical Edge membership at clinicaledge.co/freetrial

Links associated with this episode:

• Free shoulder assessment infographic series with Jo Gibson
• Free webinar - Rotator cuff revealed: Rehab & reasoning with Jo Gibson
• Improve your shoulder assessment & treatment with the Shoulder: Steps to Success online course with Jo Gibson
• Online course “Frozen shoulder assessment & treatment” with Jo Gibson
• Improve your confidence and clinical reasoning with a free trial Clinical Edge membership
• Join Jo Gibson live on Facebook & ask your shoulder related questions every Monday
• Download and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes
• Download the podcast now using the best podcast app currently in existence - Overcast
• Listen to the podcast on Spotify
• Jo Gibson on Twitter
• Let David know what you liked about this podcast on Twitter
• Review the podcast on iTunes
• Infographics by Clinical Edge

Articles associated with this episode:

• CLICK HERE to download the articles associated with this podcast

• Bayam L, Ahmad MA, Naqui SZ, Chouhan A, Funk L. Pain mapping for common shoulder disorders. pathology. 2011;14(5):9.

• Bayam L, Arumilli R, Horsley I, Bayam F, Herrington L, Funk L. Testing shoulder pain mapping. Pain Medicine. 2017 Jul 1;18(7):1382-93.

• Gumina S, Carbone S, Albino P, Gurzi M, Postacchini F. Arm Squeeze Test: a new clinical test to distinguish neck from shoulder pain. European Spine Journal. 2013 Jul;22:1558-63.

• Katsuura Y, Bruce J, Taylor S, Gullota L, Kim HJ. Overlapping, masquerading, and causative cervical spine and shoulder pathology: a systematic review. Global spine journal. 2020 Apr;10(2):195-208.