Acute shoulder injuries: A clinical review of diagnosis and management in the deployed Naval environment.

Musculoskeletal injuries of the shoulder are a common presentation in primary care. Injuries to this highly mobile region can have a profound impact on the range of movement, resulting in severe functional limitation. The shoulder can also be one of the more complicated regions to examine due to its high mobility, poor localisation of pain and numerous supporting structures. This article aims to review the anatomy of the shoulder, examination technique and the pathology underlying common acute injuries in order to provide guidance to medical personnel deployed with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.