Introduction:

The painful shoulder is an entity that generates much of the orthopedic consultations worldwide, although it can affect at any stage of life, its prevalence is higher as age increases. Rotator cuff condition is often the most relevant cause of pain and dysfunction. Two common consequences of rotator cuff condition are pseudoparesis and pseudoparalysis, and even though they share similar etiology and symptomatology, their clinical differentiation is critical for optimal management and timely resolution.

Objective:

To review the theoretical and clinical bases for the differentiation and management of pseudoparesis and pseudoparalysis due to rotator cuff pathology.

Material and methods:

Descriptive review of the concepts of pseudoparesis and pseudoparalysis from the orthopedic, physiotherapy and rehabilitation perspective.

Results:

Once the differences in rotator cuff injury mechanisms and how they translate into painful shoulder semiology are understood, it is possible to integrate a differential diagnosis between pseudoparesia and pseudoparalysis. Diagnosis should integrate specific evaluations and exercises to identify both conditions and, once distinguished and identified, allow optimal guidance of therapeutic approach.

Conclusion:

The differentiation between pseudoparalysis and pseudoparesis allows us to understand the mechanisms of injury and, finally, to provide the optimal treatment for patients with painful shoulder due to rotator cuff pathology.