Diagnostic Imaging of the Shoulder

Original Editor - Naomi O'Reilly

Top Contributors - Naomi O'Reilly, Kim Jackson, Rucha Gadgil, Admin, Wanda van Niekerk and Lucinda hampton  

Introduction

Diagnostic Imaging can be a useful resource for musculoskeletal conditions and where used appropriately can be an invaluable tool for physiotherapists. Imaging such as MRI, X-ray, CT Scans, and Bone Scans are prime examples of practical diagnostic imaging that facilitates accurate diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and assessment of injuries and dysfunction that physiotherapists' address daily. Unnecessary imaging will not only potentially squander financial resources and increase potential for premature surgery, but may also lead to increase failure of conservative physiotherapy treatment as a result of patient expectations following diagnostic imaging e.g. perception that if a tear is there then physiotherapy has no role to play, so it is key to understand and recognise when imaging is appropriate. While there are a number of studies which indicate diagnostic imaging is underutilized such as x-rays identifying fractures or bone scans identifying osteoporosis, there are also many more studies which suggest over utilization of imaging, such as X-rays or MRI for acute and uncomplicated shoulder pain. While a thorough history and physical examination are the most important instruments in evaluating shoulder pain, musculoskeletal imaging can be an important adjunct.

There may also be an expectation from patients in relation to the needs for imaging studies, many who often demand investigations believing it is necessary for adequate diagnosis and management of shoulder pathology, which can present a multitude of problems for the physiotherapist in managing these expectations and advising or educating patients around the diagnostic imaging and its role. Cuff and Littlewood highlight a wide range of factors which influence patient beliefs about the cause of their shoulder pain, but suggests the information they receive from healthcare professionals has the strongest influence, hence, the language and terminology we use is key to achieving good clinical outcomes. Successful physiotherapy management of shoulder pain is often impacted by the patients expectations about how effective they believe physiotherapy to be and has been shown to be the strongest predictor of future surgical intervention in people with shoulder pain and associated rotator cuff tear.

If the patient perceives their problem as one not amenable to physiotherapy following diagnostic imaging, for example an osteophyte (bone spur) impinging on their rotator cuff, the opportunity to achieve a satisfactory outcome might be compromised."

Where a thorough and detailed subjective and objective physical assessment has been completed, imaging in some cases may aid in confirming diagnosis, but remember that diagnostic imaging findings can lead to misdiagnosis if not reviewed in the overall context of the patients symptoms and physical exam findings. As such shoulder examination and development of adequate differential diagnosis is therefore key to establish if advanced imaging is required.

Traditionally it was assumed that the utilisation of advanced imaging modalities would provide additional benefits and increase diagnostic accuracy, however as highlighted by Jarvie et al there are many studies which now refute this and suggest the use of additional advanced imaging has minimal impact on the care patients receive. We will review the options and principles of shoulder investigations as they can play a role in the effective management in some shoulder conditions. There are many different types of imaging and each type is used for a specific purpose. For shoulder related problems the main forms of imaging include X-rays, Ultrasound, CT and MRI Scans although direct access to these types of testing vary dramatically worldwide, and even within countries

Imaging Options

X-Ray

In the context of sporting injuries, X-rays are primarily indicated for detecting any bony fractures or dislocations / subluxations and patients should be referred for immediate X-ray if there is any suspicion of these injuries.

"X-ray is currently considered an indicated imaging modality for diagnosing adhesive capsulitis and ruling out an intrinsic cause for motion loss (e.g., glenohumeral arthritis)."

"X-ray studies are also considered indicated for suspected instability to identify concentric reduction and the absence of fracture or bone loss."

Indications for X-ray

To detect or exclude pathology when diagnosis is obscure and thus contribute to decisions regarding further management

Consider an x-ray and further discussion with GP if patient has;

• Exquisite Pain - Exclude Acute Calcific Tendonitis;
• Subacromial Pain (ONLY if suspect a structural deformity or is unresponsive to treatment);
• History of Trauma - Exclude Fracture and / or Dislocation / Subluxation;
• Possibility of Metastases, particularly in patients with a previous history of Cancer (Breast or Lung)
• AC Joint Pain - Persistent pain with continued functional impairment;
• Older Person with a stiff, painful shoulder +/- crepitus.

Arthrography

Ultrasound

A sensitivity level of 79% and a specificity of 94% was found in a meta-analysis of five studies (311 Shoulders) which used Ultrasound to diagnose Rotator Cuff related disorders, so can be considered a valuable investigation for rotator cuff related shoulder pain where indicated.

MRI

Currently there are many debates surrounding the use of MRI with many studies questioning the clinical relevance of the findings seen on MRI, which have been shown to not always correlate well with surgical findings. These studies suggest that the findings on shoulder MRI may not always be clinically relevant.

Summary

Imaging findings such as tendon tears and bursal thickening, often diagnosed as bursitis, are as common in individuals with no shoulder pain, as they are in those with shoulder pain. One study suggest as much as 96% of individuals without any shoulder pain or loss of function were found to have imaging changes, such as tears, and bursal thickening. This suggests that what can be seen in imaging is not always the cause of the problem, and in many cases imaging findings do not tell you what structure is specifically causing the pain.

References