Tele-triage for Shoulder Pain in Children

Audience: pediatric

Shoulder pain in children can arise from many causes, including injury, infection, or inflammation. Tele-triage allows healthcare providers to assess your child's symptoms remotely to decide if immediate in-person care is needed or if home care and monitoring are appropriate. During a telemedicine visit, the provider will ask about the pain's onset, severity, and any related symptoms, as well as observe your child's shoulder movement. While tele-triage can help guide care and provide advice, it cannot replace a physical exam or imaging tests sometimes needed for diagnosis. If your child has severe pain, swelling, fever, or cannot move the shoulder, prompt in-person evaluation is important. This guide explains when tele-triage is suitable, how to prepare for a tele-visit, and what to expect after the consultation.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Child cannot move the shoulder or arm normally — seek emergency care immediately.
• Shoulder pain accompanied by fever, redness, or swelling — urgent in-person evaluation needed.
• Recent injury causing severe pain or visible deformity — go to emergency services promptly.

What telemedicine can do

• Initial assessment of shoulder pain symptoms in children.
• Guidance on home care and symptom monitoring.
• Determining urgency and need for in-person evaluation.
• Providing education on injury prevention and pain management.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Physical examination requiring palpation or detailed musculoskeletal testing.
• Imaging studies like X-rays or MRIs.
• Treatment requiring injections, casting, or surgery.
• Management of severe infections or fractures needing urgent care.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain in Children

Shoulder pain in children may result from injuries like sprains or fractures, infections such as septic arthritis, inflammation from conditions like bursitis, or referred pain from other areas. Growth-related issues and overuse injuries from sports are also common. Understanding the cause helps guide appropriate care.

How Tele-triage Works for Shoulder Pain

During a tele-triage visit, a healthcare provider will ask detailed questions about your child's pain, including when it started, how severe it is, and any other symptoms like fever or swelling. They may ask you to help your child perform simple shoulder movements to assess function. This information helps determine if urgent in-person care is needed or if home management is safe.

When to Seek Immediate In-Person Care

Certain signs require urgent evaluation, including:

If any of these occur, go to emergency care promptly.

Preparing for a Telemedicine Visit

To get the most from your tele-visit:

After the Tele-triage Visit

Follow the provider's advice carefully. This may include:

Keep emergency contacts handy in case of sudden changes.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Ensure a stable internet connection and a device with a working camera.
• Prepare to describe your child's symptoms clearly, including onset and severity.
• Have your child's medical history and current medications available.
• Find a quiet, well-lit space for the tele-visit.
• Be ready to assist your child with simple shoulder movements as guided by the provider.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the healthcare provider's recommendations for home care and symptom monitoring.
• Use recommended pain relief methods, such as ice or over-the-counter medications.
• Schedule an in-person visit if symptoms worsen or do not improve as advised.
• Seek emergency care immediately if red flag symptoms develop.
• Keep a record of symptom changes to share in follow-up appointments.

FAQs

Can telemedicine diagnose the cause of my child's shoulder pain?

Telemedicine can help assess symptoms and guide care but cannot replace a physical exam or imaging tests needed for a definitive diagnosis.

When should I take my child to the emergency room for shoulder pain?

If your child has severe pain, cannot move the shoulder, has fever with redness or swelling, or a recent injury causing deformity, seek emergency care immediately.

What can I do at home to help my child's shoulder pain?

You can apply ice to the area, encourage rest, and use over-the-counter pain relievers as advised by your healthcare provider. Monitor symptoms closely.

Is telemedicine safe for evaluating shoulder pain in children?

Yes, telemedicine is a safe way to get initial advice and triage care, but it may not replace in-person visits when a physical exam or tests are needed.

How can I prepare my child for a telemedicine visit?

Prepare a quiet space with good lighting and internet, have your child's history ready, and be ready to assist with showing the shoulder and describing symptoms.

Sources

1. Shoulder Pain in Children — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Pediatric Shoulder Injuries: Evaluation and Management — National Library of Medicine.
3. When to Seek Emergency Care for Children — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
4. Telemedicine and Pediatric Care — American Academy of Pediatrics.

This telemedicine guidance is intended for educational and triage purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional in-person medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. If your child experiences severe symptoms or red flags, seek immediate medical care.