Question 1 of 20

Of conditions listed, the one most frequently implicated in lower extremity pain is:

Reactive arthritis.

Calcific tendonitis.

Adhesive capsulitis.

Rotator cuff injury.

Pancoast tumor.

Reactive arthritis (formerly Reiter's syndrome) generally involves the joints of the lower extremities. Calcific tendonitis or rupture of the rotator cuff are common causes of shoulder pain. Loss of abduction is not a specific finding for these and occurs in other disorders. Shoulder arthrography or MRI is necessary to diagnose rotator cuff tears. NSAIDs are the treatment of choice for tendonitis, but select cases may benefit from local steroid injection. Aseptic necrosis is more commonly seen in the hip, but can occur in the humeral head. Causes of aseptic necrosis include systemic corticosteroid therapy, repeated intra-articular steroid injections, sickle cell disease, alcoholism, and dysbaric injury. Adhesive capsulitis may occur following trauma and is characterized by pain and severe limitation of movement. The apex of the lung should always be inspected on shoulder films as a Pancoast tumor may produce shoulder pain.

Cancel