Identify common shoulder injuries and initial management strategies.

• A. Ankle sprains
• B. Rotator cuff tendinopathy/tear, impingement, AC joint sprain, labral tear, dislocations
• C. Knee injuries
• D. Hip fractures

Answer: (B)

Common shoulder injuries you’ll encounter early in evaluation are rotator cuff tendinopathy or tear, impingement, AC joint sprain, labral tear, and dislocations. These cover the typical ways the shoulder can hurt or become unstable, whether from overuse, poor mechanics, or a traumatic event, and they each have a sensible first approach.

Rotator cuff tendinopathy or tear often presents as pain at the outer shoulder, especially with overhead lifting, and may include night pain or weakness. The initial plan is conservative: avoid activities that aggravate it, apply ice, use appropriate pain relief if allowed, and start a targeted physical therapy program. Therapy focuses on restoring rotator cuff strength and improving scapular control and shoulder mechanics. If symptoms persist or weakness is significant, imaging may be pursued to assess the extent of a tear.

Impingement happens when the space under the bony arch of the shoulder narrows, causing pain with reaching or lifting. Start with similar conservative steps—relative rest, activity modification, ice, and anti-inflammatory strategies as appropriate—plus a structured PT program aimed at scapular stabilization, rotator cuff strengthening, posterior capsule work, and posture correction. Injections or further imaging may be considered if symptoms don’t improve with PT.

AC joint sprain results from a direct fall on the shoulder and is graded by severity. For many mild cases, initial care includes rest, short-term sling immobilization, ice, and analgesia, followed by gradual reintroduction of movement and strengthening. More severe sprains require longer immobilization and closer follow-up; persistent instability may prompt surgical consultation.

Labral tears produce deep shoulder pain, popping or clicking, and sometimes instability. The first steps are activity modification and a focus on a well-structured rehabilitation program to restore function. If symptoms continue or mechanical signs persist, imaging (often MRI or MR arthrography) helps confirm the diagnosis and guide decisions about surgery.

Dislocations demand prompt attention. After a proper neurovascular check, the shoulder is reduced by a trained clinician, then immobilized in a sling for several weeks, followed by a gradual rehab plan to restore range of motion and strength. Recurrent dislocations may require surgical stabilization.

The other options refer to injuries in the ankle, knee, or hip, which are not shoulder injuries.