The Physical Exam
Have you ever visited a specialist and left without being examined at all, with a diagnosis and treatment plan built entirely on an MRI? Some patients have grown used to that pattern. In some consultations, I am asked for my treatment recommendation before I have had the chance to perform a physical exam. I firmly believe in the power of this exam to correctly diagnose shoulder pain. A wise professor taught me that we treat the patient, not the X-ray or MRI. Many findings on an MRI are of no consequence and need no treatment. Conversely, many findings on a physical exam that reproduce shoulder pain may not appear on an MRI. It is important to use the exam to gather as much information as possible so shoulder pain can be correctly diagnosed and treated. The physical exam is equal parts art and science. The art of the exam is learned through repetition and experience. Medical students are taught the components of a physical exam and the appropriate tests. Yet they are always amazed when a senior physician quickly reaches a diagnosis they missed. Simply knowing the correct steps does not guarantee a correct conclusion. The art of the exam is putting all the pieces together, and that is the value of experience. A shoulder specialist will have completed thousands of exams and built a large base of knowledge to reach the best diagnosis.
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📍 901 Enterprise Pkwy, Suite 900, Hampton, Virginia 23666
📞 757-827-2480
A thorough shoulder exam helps connect what you feel during movement with what imaging shows, so the diagnosis reflects the whole picture. Combining careful hands-on testing with your history gives the clearest path to an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan.