Recommendations
History, Physical Exam, Radiographs, MRI
➤ History, physical exam, and radiographs can be useful to differentially
diagnose GHOA. Specifically, critical shoulder angle on radiographs and age is
predictive of the diagnosis.
★★★★
➤ Advanced imaging of magnetic resonance imaging is beneficial in the
differential diagnosis of GHOA. MRI is helpful to confirm the diagnosis but is
less useful to rule out the diagnosis.
★★★★
Postoperative Management: Sling and Exercise
➤ Physical therapists should implement the use of a sling with the shoulder
in a neutral position and progressive exercises for range of motion and
strengthening to improve patient-reported outcomes, and ROM in patients with
GHOA who have undergone total shoulder arthroplasty.
★★★★
Postoperative Physical Therapy Directed Pain Management
➤ Physical therapists should implement the use of a sling with the shoulder
in a neutral position for pain management in patients with GHOA who have
undergone TSA.
★★★★
Postoperative Physical Therapy Timing
➤ The timing of the introduction of shoulder ROM exercises by physical
therapists may be delayed up to 4 weeks without negatively impacting
patient-reported outcomes in patients with GHOA who have undergone TSA.
★★★★