Differential Diagnosis for Shoulder Limited ROM

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

• Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder): This condition is characterized by inflammation and scarring of the shoulder joint, leading to limited range of motion. It is a common cause of shoulder stiffness and pain, especially in middle-aged individuals.

Other Likely Diagnoses

• Rotator Cuff Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons surrounding the shoulder joint can cause pain and limited mobility.
• Osteoarthritis: Wear and tear of the joint cartilage can lead to stiffness and limited range of motion in the shoulder.
• Shoulder Impingement: Compression of the tendons or bursae in the shoulder joint can cause pain and limited mobility.
• Bursitis: Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) in the shoulder joint can cause pain and limited range of motion.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

• Septic Arthritis: A bacterial infection in the joint can cause severe pain, stiffness, and limited mobility, and requires prompt antibiotic treatment.
• Fracture or Dislocation: Traumatic injuries to the shoulder can cause limited range of motion and require immediate medical attention.
• Tumor or Cancer: Although rare, tumors or cancer in the shoulder region can cause limited mobility and pain.

Rare Diagnoses

• Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammation and stiffness in the shoulder joint, although it is less common than other forms of arthritis.
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica: An inflammatory condition that can cause stiffness and pain in the shoulder and other joints, often in older adults.
• Sickle Cell Disease: A genetic disorder that can cause avascular necrosis of the shoulder joint, leading to limited range of motion and pain.
• Charcot Joint (Neuropathic Arthropathy): A condition that can cause destruction of the joint due to nerve damage, leading to limited mobility and pain.