Which of the following is included in the differential diagnosis for glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis?

Which of the following is included in the differential diagnosis for glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis?

• A. Rotator cuff tear
• B. AC joint arthritis
• C. Labral tear
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

In evaluating symptoms attributed to glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, you must consider other structures in the shoulder that can mimic or coexist with OA. A rotator cuff tear can produce pain, weakness, and limited range of motion similar to OA, and degenerative cuff disease often occurs alongside glenohumeral OA, complicating the clinical picture. AC joint arthritis is a separate site of pain at the top of the shoulder and with overhead or cross-body movements, and it can refer pain into the glenohumeral area or be a competing source of shoulder pain. A labral tear can cause deep, activity-related shoulder pain, clicking, or instability, and degenerative labral changes can accompany or resemble OA symptoms. Because these conditions can present like glenohumeral OA or occur with it, all of these possibilities are included in the differential.

In evaluating symptoms attributed to glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, you must consider other structures in the shoulder that can mimic or coexist with OA. A rotator cuff tear can produce pain, weakness, and limited range of motion similar to OA, and degenerative cuff disease often occurs alongside glenohumeral OA, complicating the clinical picture. AC joint arthritis is a separate site of pain at the top of the shoulder and with overhead or cross-body movements, and it can refer pain into the glenohumeral area or be a competing source of shoulder pain. A labral tear can cause deep, activity-related shoulder pain, clicking, or instability, and degenerative labral changes can accompany or resemble OA symptoms. Because these conditions can present like glenohumeral OA or occur with it, all of these possibilities are included in the differential.