What is the diagnosis for a 44-year-old male presenting with shoulder pain, with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings indicating strain/tears of the subscapularis and teres minor muscles, mild bursal-sided fraying of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles, and mild intrasubstance tearing of the labrum?

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Differential Diagnosis for Shoulder Pain

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: The MRI findings of strain/tears of the subscapularis and teres minor, mild bursal sided fraying of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus, and the absence of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear suggest rotator cuff tendinopathy as the most likely diagnosis. The patient's symptoms of shoulder pain are consistent with this condition.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Labral Tear: The presence of mild intrasubstance and free edge tearing/fraying of the superior and anterior labrum could indicate a labral tear, which is a common cause of shoulder pain.
  • Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis: The finding of mild to moderate acromioclavicular joint osteoarthrosis could contribute to the patient's shoulder pain, especially if the joint is inflamed or irritated.
  • Adhesive Capsulitis: Although not directly mentioned in the MRI findings, the presence of a glenohumeral joint effusion and the patient's symptoms of shoulder pain could suggest adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Septic Arthritis: Although the MRI findings do not suggest an infectious process, septic arthritis is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. The presence of a joint effusion and shoulder pain could be indicative of septic arthritis.
  • Glenohumeral Joint Instability: The labral tear and the presence of a glenohumeral joint effusion could suggest glenohumeral joint instability, which is a serious condition that requires prompt evaluation and treatment.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Synovial Chondromatosis: The presence of an ovoid, probably mineralized body within the subscapular recess could suggest synovial chondromatosis, a rare condition characterized by the formation of cartilaginous nodules within the joint.
  • Tumoral Calcinosis: The mineralized body within the subscapular recess could also suggest tumoral calcinosis, a rare condition characterized by the deposition of calcium salts within the soft tissues.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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