Shoulder Bursitis Test
Experiencing inflammation and pain in the shoulder area? Learn about the Shoulder Bursitis Test and receive a free template and example!
Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.
What is a Shoulder Bursitis Test?
As one of the leading contributors to shoulder pain, shoulder bursitis is experienced commonly and often accompanied by other shoulder problems like tendonitis. This type of injury typically occurs when the sacs surrounding the shoulder joint (shoulder bursae), which reduce friction and support movement, become inflamed. When there is bursal inflammation, fluid builds up, resulting in pain and swelling felt through the shoulder.
Shoulder bursitis can manifest in several ways and be experienced differently depending on individual factors such as pain tolerance, range of motion, and activities of daily living. Although symptoms commonly reside in pain around the shoulder area, some individuals may experience a dull ache, while others experience severe pain. This can make diagnosing shoulder bursitis challenging for healthcare professionals.
The shoulder bursitis test procedure was developed to assist in the diagnosis of shoulder bursitis. This procedure includes a physical examination to assess the individual's range of motion and inflammation, followed by a diagnostic screen. Depending on the results from the physical exam and the preferences of your clientele and practice, diagnostics may be completed by x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, or through joint aspiration.
We at Carepatron have developed the shoulder bursitis test template to support healthcare professionals involved in diagnosing shoulder bursitis. The template serves as a resource to inform effective testing procedures while also being a form of clinical documentation essential to best practice and optimizing patient care. This is an invaluable resource for health professionals seeking to support clients experiencing shoulder pain.
Printable Shoulder Bursitis Test
Download this Shoulder Bursitis Test to support healthcare professionals involved in diagnosing shoulder bursitis.
Causes and symptoms of bursitis
Shoulder bursitis is an injury that can manifest according to several factors. It can be experienced by anyone participating in activities that injure or result in repetitive irritation of the bursa surrounding the joint. Common causes of bursal irritation and chronic bursitis symptoms include the following:
- Chronic pain or illnesses: Individuals experiencing chronic illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or kidney disease may be at a greater risk for developing bursitis.
- Overuse of the shoulder joint: When individuals perform repetitive actions involving the shoulder or overuse areas supporting the joint, like the rotator cuff muscles, they may cause injury or tears that result in pain and inflammation within the bursa.
- Overhead lifting: Participating in overhead activities like lifting can create friction between bones and tissues, such as those in the shoulder blade, resulting in inflamed bursa and painful arc.
- Existing conditions reducing mobility and causing shoulder pain: Conditions that restrict motion around the joint or cause shoulder pain can heighten the risks of developing bursitis. These may include rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement syndrome, and tendinitis, which can place too much stress on the bursa.
Common symptoms
The type and onset of bursitis symptoms can differ across individuals. Typical signs and symptoms of bursitis usually surround pain, swelling and tenderness but may also include the following:
- Excessive warmth around the shoulder
- Swelling in the shoulder area
- Acute pain when completing movements such as overhead lifting above shoulder height
- Weakness of movements using the shoulder, such as during abduction or moving the arm forward
How does the test work?
Testing for shoulder bursitis can be challenging because it typically involves a series of comprehensive assessments before it can be diagnosed. To simplify the process, we have broken down the steps for diagnosis using our shoulder bursitis testing template into the following:
Step 1: Access the template
Begin by accessing our free shoulder bursitis template electronically here, or download the PDF version to print a physical copy using the link below:
Download the free Shoulder Bursitis Test Template PDF here
Step 2: Client consultation
When you suspect a client may be experiencing bursitis or expresses shoulder pain, it would be beneficial to test for shoulder bursitis.
Step 3: Client information
Ask your clients to complete the section in the template labeled 'Patient Information'; this includes their daily activities, symptoms, and occupation, which may help contextualize their injury.
Step 4: Physical examination
Complete the physical examination by doing the following:
- Have clients sit on an examination chair or bed or stand up.
- Ask clients to locate the site of pain and rate the level of pain from 1 (not painful) to 10 (very painful).
- Assess the pain and inflammation around the shoulder and surrounding areas. You may notice redness, warmth, swelling, or tenderness near the joint.
- Complete a shoulder range of motion test by assessing passive range of motion, active range of motion, and active-assistive range of motion.
Step 5: Diagnostic procedures
If the client has a limited range of motion, inflammation, or pain localized around the shoulder joint, they may be experiencing shoulder bursitis. In this case, completing a diagnostic screening procedure such as an x-ray, MRI, or joint aspiration would be beneficial.
Shoulder Bursitis Test example (sample)
We have constructed an example to demonstrate how shoulder bursitis testing operates in practice. The example uses fictional information about a client experiencing shoulder pain, using the template to document results and findings from various assessment procedures.
It is highly recommended you view this example to deepen your understanding and see a more transferable way to use these procedures. However, this is just an example that should not supplement personalized assessment procedures, advice, or treatment plans.
You can view the example electronically here or download our free PDF version to print a physical copy by using the following link:
Download our free Shoulder Bursitis Test example (sample) here
When is it best to test for Shoulder Bursitis?
The best time to conduct a Shoulder Bursitis Test is during a patient consultation about their experiences of pain, redness, warmth, or inflammation around the shoulder or surrounding areas. During this consultation, it is essential to review their medical history, as previous experiences of shoulder issues or conditions such as arthritis and diabetes may be causing inflammation. Additionally, activities of daily living, including the patient's occupation, should be discussed as certain activities may cause the inflamed bursa.
Since testing for shoulder bursitis is a multi-step process, all protocols must be followed before declaring a final diagnosis. This means that a physical examination and mobility assessment may establish a preliminary diagnosis. Still, you may require further evaluation to establish the type and level of bursitis. Furthermore, conducting further screening procedures may uncover underlying or accompanying injuries, such as subacromial impingement syndrome or a rotator cuff tear that may strain the bursa.
Why choose Carepatron's Shoulder Bursitis Test app?
As an efficient practice management software, Carepatron has all the tools to help elevate your practice!
At Carepatron, we understand the challenges of operating a successful practice, and we're here to help and support you in every step. With our Shoulder Bursitis Test app, you can access features that tie all practice management activities into one platform. This includes ongoing clinical documentation, secure storage of electronic patient records, and appointment scheduling, allowing you to say goodbye to tedious tasks and spend more time providing the best care to your clients.
Being an online platform, Carepatron provides ongoing access to health practitioners and their clients, allowing access to data from anywhere, at any time. Furthermore, our Shoulder Bursitis Test software allows for collaboration amongst practitioners, which is essential considering that shoulder treatment procedures rely on interventions from various health services, such as general practitioners, pharmacists, and physical therapists.
In understanding that effective treatment relies on proactive treatment procedures, Carepatron is dedicated to empowering practitioners and clients. With a user-friendly interface, our patient portal strengthens communication channels between clients and practitioners, encouraging a transparent therapeutic relationship to enhance health outcomes.
Embark on a journey to elevating your practice with Carepatron today!
Commonly asked questions
This test should be completed during a client consultation following complaints of shoulder pain, particularly when there is swelling around the shoulder area.
The test typically begins with assessing patient information, including the activities that led to the shoulder pain, the level of pain, and when it began. This is then followed by a physical examination of the area and a shoulder range of motion test to assess mobility.
Although symptoms can vary depending on the type of bursitis and individual factors, common signs include swelling, redness, warmth, pain, and stiffness of the shoulder and surrounding areas.
