Shoulder Ultrasound Scan

The shoulder scan aims to provide a detailed assessment of the significant musculoskeletal structures in the shoulder using ultrasound. The shoulder is one of the most used and injured joints. It comprises a number of tissues including muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones and cartilage. The shoulder scan uses ultrasound waves to see inside the shoulder and look at these structures. It is a quick and painless test that is completely safe. The results of the shoulder scan are discussed with you following the scan.

The shoulder ultrasound scan can assess:

• Rotator Cuff Tendons
• Biceps Tendon
• Subscapularis tendon
• Supraspinatus tendon
• Infraspinatus tendon
• Acromioclavicular Joint
• Abnormal fluid or inflammation around the shoulder
• Restricted Range of Movement.
• Impingement

A shoulder ultrasound scan is a diagnostic imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the structures inside the shoulder joint. It can be used to evaluate structures within the shoulder such as tendons, muscles, shoulder joints and other soft tissue structures.

The rotator cuff tendons: hold the shoulder together

The shoulder joint is held together by the rotator cuff.  The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that connect the shoulder blade (scapula) to the upper arm bone (humerus). These muscles and tendons work together to control and stabilize the shoulder joint, allowing for a wide range of motion and strength. The four muscles that make up the rotator cuff are the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. The tendons of these muscles attach the muscles to the humerus and help to hold the head of the humerus in the shallow socket of the shoulder blade. Rotator cuff injuries, such as tears or inflammation, are a common cause of shoulder pain and can limit the range of motion and strength in the shoulder.
Injuries involving the shoulder are very common in adults, particularly with an injury, repetitive strain and over-use. These injuries can be short-term (acute) or long-term (Chronic). Acute injuries could be caused by sudden traumatic events such as falls or accidents. Chronic injuries are usually due to repetitive microtrauma to the area, however, in some instances may also be a consequence of an acute injury.

If you are experiencing or have experienced shoulder pain then this could be a symptom of an underlying problem with your shoulder. The cause of your shoulder pain is however extremely wide and there could be one or many possible causes, some more serious than others. Our specialist muscular ultrasound scan can see what’s happening within your shoulder joint and can provide information useful to diagnose the problem.

When performing diagnostic lists, the shoulder is one of the parts you will be asked to ultrasound. Technically, scanning the shoulder isn’t as easy as some of the other parts of your body because of the bony outline of the shoulder. But with the right private shoulder ultrasound clinic, you should get exceptional results and details that will help you make informed decisions on your health.

You may need to have a shoulder ultrasound scan for one or more of the following reasons;

• Shoulder injury: ultrasound is commonly used to evaluate injuries such as tears, sprains and tendonitis.
• Shoulder pain
• Reduced or restricted shoulder movement
• Shoulder aches
• Shoulder swelling
• Joint pain
• Stiffness
• A clicking or locking sensation
• Impingement
• Shoulder discomfort
• Shoulder Inflammation
• Shoulder lump
• Post-surgical complications e.g. abscess, oedema
• Check for foreign bodies such as glass or metal particles that may have lodged in the soft tissues.

Our shoulder ultrasound scan is used to assess for common problems in the shoulder which can include:

• Tendon tear or rupture
• Inflammation
• Tendonitis
• Calcific tendinitis
• Bursitis or capsulitis of the joints
• Rotator cuff tear
• Frozen shoulder
• Some tumours and cancers
• Foreign bodies
• Soft tissue masses such as ganglia, lipomas
• Ligament injuries
• Tendonitis
• Muscular damage (chronic and acute)
• Joint effusions
• Haematomas
• Classification of a mass e.g. solid, cystic, mixed
• Post-surgical complications e.g. abscess, oedema
• Some bony pathology such as arthritis.

The test is painless, safe, and can be done quickly. Your doctor may require a shoulder ultrasound scan along with other imaging tests such as an X-ray or MRI to plan the best treatment. Ultrasonography is a noninvasive imaging modality and is widely used for the assessment of the shoulder including the rotator cuff. It can provide clinically useful information on a wide range of conditions affecting the shoulders including the tendons, ligaments, synovial space, and surrounding soft tissues.