Shoulder injuries are common in the primary care setting, yet general practitioners may feel unequipped to confidently assess the patient presenting with shoulder pain.

This article provides a framework for the initial assessment of a patient presenting with an injured shoulder.

A solid understanding of the anatomy and unique features of the shoulder is important to adequately assess any injury. A focused history needs to particularly explore the mechanism of injury, the type of dysfunction and the nature of the pain. On examination, particular attention should be paid to loss of symmetry, localisation of tenderness and the range of movement.