Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffIf your injury appears to be severe or your doctor can't determine the cause of your pain through physical examination, he or she may recommend diagnostic imaging tests to better delineate your shoulder joint, muscles and tendons. These may include:
- X-rays
- A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- An ultrasound scan
References
- Maffet MW, et al. Superior labral injuries. In: DeLee JC, et al. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3143-7..00017-8--sc14&uniq=207793665&isbn=978-1-4160-3143-7&sid=1019675117. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Simons SM, et al. Rotator cuff tendinopathy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Rotator cuff tears. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00064. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Rotator cuff tears and treatment options. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00406. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Azar FM, et al. Arthroplasty of the shoulder and elbow. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/207793665-7/1019679443/1584/57.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03329-9..50011-8--cesec24_451. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Choi L. Overuse injuries. In: DeLee JC, et al. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/171922449-6/918424682/2079/17.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3143-7..10014-4--s0125_1247. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Sports injuries. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/sports_injuries/. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 8, 2010.

Find Mayo Clinic on