American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following conditions presents with pain located on the superior aspect of the shoulder?

1. Frozen shoulder

2. Supraspinatus tendinitis

3. Acromioclavicular joint degeneration

4. Adhesive capsulitis

The correct answer is: Acromioclavicular joint degeneration

The condition that presents with pain located on the superior aspect of the shoulder is acromioclavicular joint degeneration. This condition involves the joint connecting the clavicle (collarbone) and the acromion (the bony prominence on the shoulder blade). Degeneration or arthritis in this joint can lead to localized pain that is often felt on the top of the shoulder. Pain may also be exacerbated by certain arm movements, particularly those that involve reaching across the body or overhead motions. In contrast, frozen shoulder and adhesive capsulitis primarily cause generalized shoulder pain and stiffness, affecting a broader range of arm movements and often resulting in limited range of motion, rather than specific localized pain. Supraspinatus tendinitis typically causes pain and discomfort in the lateral aspect of the shoulder rather than the superior part, often presenting with difficulty in lifting the arm and reproducing the pain with specific shoulder positions or tasks.