Shoulder Pathology MCQs

A 28-year-old male presents with a dull ache around his shoulder and noticeable medial scapular winging when performing a wall push-up. Which muscle is denervated, and what is the root origin of the affected nerve?

A 26-year-old woman complains of painful crepitus and snapping at the superomedial border of her scapula with arm movement. Nonoperative measures have failed after 6 months. She is scheduled for surgery. Excision of which of the following bursae is typically performed along with resection of the superomedial angle?

A 32-year-old woman develops prominent medial scapular winging three weeks after a severe viral illness. She has weakness in forward elevation but intact external rotation. EMG confirms an isolated nerve palsy. Which nerve-muscle pair is affected?

A 25-year-old male presents with inability to elevate his right arm past 90 degrees and prominent medial winging of his right scapula, which is exacerbated when he pushes against a wall. He recalls a severe viral illness 3 weeks prior. Which nerve is most likely affected?

A 28-year-old man sustains a blunt trauma to the posterior triangle of the neck. He presents with an inability to comfortably abduct his arm above 90 degrees and a drooping shoulder. Examination shows prominent lateral scapular winging. Injury to which of the following nerves is the most likely cause?

A 45-year-old woman presents with right shoulder weakness following a lymph node biopsy in the posterior triangle of the neck. On examination, the affected scapula is laterally translated and there is a droop of the shoulder. She has difficulty abducting her arm past 90 degrees. Which nerve is injured?

A 35-year-old female presents with aching shoulder pain and fatigue when working overhead. Physical examination demonstrates medial winging of the scapula that is accentuated when she pushes against a wall. Which nerve and corresponding muscle are primarily affected?

A patient presents with scapular winging and inability to efficiently retract the scapula. EMG reveals a lesion isolated to the dorsal scapular nerve. Which of the following muscles are primarily affected?

A patient sustains a deep penetrating injury immediately anterior to the anterior scalene muscle in the lower neck. Which of the following structures is most likely injured in this specific location?

A 28-year-old weightlifter presents with right shoulder pain and weakness. On physical examination, the inferior angle of the right scapula is translated laterally and superiorly when the patient pushes against a wall. Which of the following nerves is most likely injured?

A 24-year-old male presents with right shoulder pain and weakness after carrying a heavy backpack during a 3-week hike. On exam, he has medial scapular winging when pushing against a wall. Which of the following nerve-muscle combinations is affected?

A 35-year-old motorcyclist is involved in a high-speed collision.

He presents with a massive shoulder hematoma, absent radial pulse, and a completely flail extremity. Chest radiograph shows lateral displacement of the scapula. What is the most common neurologic injury associated with this condition?

A 26-year-old female presents with a painful clunking sensation at the superomedial angle of her scapula during arm elevation. Nonoperative management has failed. Which bony structure may need resection to relieve her symptoms?

A 35-year-old woman presents with persistent shoulder pain and weakness 6 months after a posterior triangle cervical lymph node biopsy. Examination reveals lateral winging of the scapula and an inability to actively abduct the arm past 90 degrees. If nonoperative management fails, which tendon transfer procedure is most appropriate?

A 26-year-old man presents with right shoulder pain and weakness 3 weeks after a viral illness. On examination, forward elevation is limited to 90 degrees, and there is prominent medial winging of the scapula when he pushes against a wall.

Which nerve is most likely affected, and what muscle does it innervate?

A 60-year-old man undergoes a lower trapezius tendon transfer augmented with an Achilles tendon allograft for a massive, irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tear.

What nerve supplies the transferred muscle, and what primary motion is restored?

A 32-year-old man presents with right shoulder weakness 3 months after a severe viral illness. Examination demonstrates pronounced medial winging of the scapula when he pushes against a wall. EMG confirms a localized nerve injury. If nonoperative management fails after 12 to 18 months, which surgical procedure is most appropriate?

A 24-year-old carpenter presents with a dull ache in his right shoulder and inability to fully elevate his arm. Examination reveals medial winging of the scapula that worsens when he pushes against a wall. Injury to which nerve is the most likely cause?

A 30-year-old woman presents with medial scapular winging that is accentuated when she pushes against a wall. Which nerve and corresponding muscle are most likely affected?

A 45-year-old woman undergoes a posterior triangle lymph node biopsy. Three weeks later, she complains of a dull ache in her shoulder and an inability to elevate her arm above 90 degrees. Examination shows lateral displacement and downward rotation of the scapula. Which nerve was most likely injured, and what is the primary affected muscle?