A patient presents with a capsular pattern of the shoulder.What might cause this?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A capsular pattern of the shoulder indicates involvement of the joint capsule, which is typically caused by synovial inflammation. This leads to a characteristic pattern of limited range of motion, starting with limitations in external rotation, followed by abduction, and then internal rotation. Tendonitis and muscle weakness can contribute to shoulder pain and dysfunction, but they do not typically present with a capsular pattern. Hypermobility of the joint may actually result in increased range of motion, rather than limited range of motion seen in a capsular pattern.

A Patient Presents with a Capsular Pattern of the Shoulder