A 54-Year-Old Man Comes to the Office Due to Right

question 677

Multiple Choice

A 54-year-old man comes to the office due to right shoulder and arm pain.  His symptoms began 3 days ago after playing golf for several hours.  The patient states that his right arm feels weak, especially when lifting objects.  He has no prior medical conditions and takes no medications.  Physical examination shows spasm of the cervical paraspinal muscles.  There is mild weakness of right elbow flexion, and the biceps reflex is decreased on the right.  The pain improves when the patient is instructed to lift the right arm above the head and rest the hand on the top of his head.  Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

• A)Cervical muscle strain
• B)Cervical radiculopathy
• C)Rotator cuff muscle tear
• D)Shoulder joint capsulitis
• E)Thoracic outlet syndrome

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Definitions:

Range Of Motion

The complete range of motion that a joint can achieve, typically involving both bending and straightening actions.

Manipulation

In a therapeutic context, manipulation involves the skillful handling, moving, or using of something or someone, often to achieve a desired outcome in physical therapy or psychology.

Lungs

Pair of respiratory organs situated within the thorax, responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air and the blood.

Percussion

In medicine, a diagnostic technique where the body surface is tapped lightly to determine the condition of the organs underneath or in music, the family of instruments played by striking them with sticks or hands.