Following are some of the ways doctors diagnose shoulder problems:
- Medical history (the patient tells the doctor about an injury or other condition that might be causing the pain).
- Physical examination to feel for injury and discover the limits of movement, location of pain, and extent of joint instability.
- Tests to confirm the diagnosis of certain conditions. Some of these tests include:
- x ray
- arthrogram—Diagnostic record that can be seen on an x ray after injection of a contrast fluid into the shoulder joint to outline structures such as the rotator cuff. In disease or injury, this contrast fluid may either leak into an area where it does not belong, indicating a tear or opening, or be blocked from entering an area where there normally is an opening.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)—A non-invasive procedure in which a machine produces a series of cross-sectional images of the shoulder.
Other diagnostic tests, such as injection of an anesthetic into and around the shoulder joint, are discussed in specific sections of this fact sheet. How Common Are Shoulder Problems?
Structures of the Shoulder and Function
Causes of Shoulder Problems
Index to Shoulder Injuries and Problems
Shoulder Dislocation
Shoulder Separation
Tendinitis, Bursitis, and Impingement Syndrome
Torn Rotator Cuff
Frozen Shoulder
Shoulder Fracture
Arthritis Of The Shoulder
