Parsonage Turner Syndrome "Look-alikes"

Ortho Eval Pal: Optimizing Orthopedic Evaluations and Management Skills

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Parsonage-Turner Syndrome can mimic several other shoulder conditions, leading to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment if not properly identified and differentiated.
• PTS typically presents with sudden onset of severe shoulder pain lasting 2-3 weeks, often triggered by viruses or vaccinations
• Common symptoms include limited active and passive range of motion, weakness, atrophy (especially in deltoids), and sometimes altered sensation
• Rotator cuff tears differ by having better passive than active motion and usually having a clear mechanism of injury
• Cervical nerve root compression can be distinguished by performing Spurling's test and gentle cervical traction
• Adhesive capsulitis has a slower onset than PTS and typically doesn't cause the significant atrophy seen in PTS cases
• Diagnostic imaging should be used after thorough clinical examination to confirm suspected diagnosis
• EMG/nerve conduction studies are most helpful for confirming PTS after 3-4 weeks of symptoms
• Always check for skin changes like pustules or rashes that might indicate shingles, which can cause brachial neuritis
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Chapters

1. Introduction to Parsonage-Turner Lookalikes (00:00:00)

2. Understanding Parsonage-Turner Syndrome (00:03:27)

3. Rotator Cuff Tears vs. PTS (00:06:33)

4. Cervical Nerve Root Compression (00:08:38)

5. Adhesive Capsulitis Differentiation (00:11:30)

6. Diagnostic Imaging Considerations (00:14:48)

7. Final Tips and Course Promotion (00:18:18)