Shoulder & Upper Arm Ultrasound Scan – Comprehensive Imaging for Musculoskeletal Health
A Shoulder & Upper Arm Ultrasound Scan is a non-invasive imaging test used to evaluate the soft tissues, joints, and structures in the shoulder and upper arm. This scan is highly effective for diagnosing conditions such as tendon tears, muscle injuries, bursitis, and joint issues, providing a real-time, dynamic view of the shoulder’s function and structure.
What is a Shoulder & Upper Arm Ultrasound Scan?
A Shoulder & Upper Arm Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints in the shoulder and upper arm. This scan is commonly used to assess:
Rotator cuff injuries (including tears or tendinitis)
Bursitis (inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs in the shoulder joint)
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
Shoulder impingement syndrome
Muscle tears or strains
Joint effusions (fluid buildup in the shoulder joint)
Bicep tendon injuries
The ultrasound provides a detailed view of the shoulder’s dynamic movement, which is particularly helpful in diagnosing issues that may be missed with other imaging methods like X-rays or CT scans.
Why is a Shoulder & Upper Arm Ultrasound Important?
This scan plays a vital role in diagnosing shoulder and upper arm conditions, especially for:
Real-time Imaging: Allows for the dynamic assessment of how muscles, tendons, and ligaments move, which is essential for diagnosing shoulder dysfunctions.
Soft Tissue Evaluation: Unlike X-rays, which primarily show bones, ultrasound captures detailed images of soft tissues such as muscles and tendons.
Guiding Treatment: Helps healthcare providers plan the best course of action for treatment, whether conservative management or surgical intervention.
Who Should Consider a Shoulder & Upper Arm Ultrasound?
A Shoulder & Upper Arm Ultrasound is recommended for individuals who experience:
Shoulder pain or discomfort in the upper arm.
Limited range of motion or stiffness in the shoulder joint.
Suspected rotator cuff injuries or tendon tears.
Swelling, inflammation, or joint stiffness.
Sports injuries or trauma to the shoulder or upper arm.
Persistent weakness or instability in the shoulder joint.
Benefits of a Shoulder & Upper Arm Ultrasound Scan
Non-invasive and Painless: The procedure is completely safe, without radiation exposure.
Dynamic Imaging: Real-time imaging of the shoulder joint in motion allows for more accurate diagnosis of movement-related conditions.
Detailed Soft Tissue Assessment: It provides a clear view of muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which are often missed in other types of scans.
Guides Treatment Plans: The detailed imaging helps guide treatment, whether for physical therapy, injections, or surgery.
Book Your Shoulder & Upper Arm Ultrasound Scan Today
If you are experiencing shoulder pain, discomfort in the upper arm, or have suffered an injury, a Shoulder & Upper Arm Ultrasound Scan can provide essential insights for a precise diagnosis and effective treatment. Schedule your scan today to get a comprehensive evaluation of your shoulder and upper arm health.
You may need a shoulder ultrasound scan if you experience one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
• Pain in the shoulder region, during movement or sporting activities.
• Pain in the shoulder region at night, disturbing when sleeping on the side.
• Limited range of motion, that may affect simple activities such as dressing, lifting the arm, carrying or using strength.
• Pain may extend from the neck and down the upper arm.
• Pain or limited range of motion after an injury or accident.
• Unable to progress training or to achieve nominal performance.
• Discomfort during sport or at the end of an active day.
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, consider scheduling a shoulder ultrasound scan for a thorough evaluation at Phoenix Ultrasound. Early detection can lead to timely intervention and better outcomes.
During this ultrasound scan, our specialist sonographer will assess the whole shoulder region using ultrasound technology.
The appointment encompasses the following:
• Relevant Medical History: We will gather information about your medical history and injuries to ensure a thorough assessment.
• Ultrasound Examination: We will perform a detailed ultrasound scan of the shoulder region, including the acromio-clavicular joint (ACJ), biceps tendons, rotator cuff tendons (subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus), subacromial-subdeltoid region, shoulder joint, to check for impingement (subacromial-subdeltoid, subcoracoid, etc), bursitis, rotator cuff tendons tendinopathy, tears or ruptures, joint arthritis, frozen shoulder, , or other mechanical or inflammatory issues.
• Explanation of Findings: You will receive clear explanations of all findings during and after the ultrasound scan.
• Official Report: We will provide you with an official report within 24 hours, including relevant images from your scan.
• Further Recommendations: If necessary, we may recommend a follow-up scan, referral to your GP or a specialist, or suggest additional tests such as blood test or other imaging.
At Phoenix Ultrasound, our goal is to offer a comprehensive and informative service to guide you through the diagnostic process. Your health and well-being are our top priorities.
The most common finding is shoulder impingement (also known as rotator cuff impingement or subacromial-subdeltoid impingement), which is pain and/or limited range of motion cause by the mechanical entrapment of the rotator cuff tendons during motion and can be assessed in real-time during dynamic scans.
Tendinopathy and tears of the rotator cuff tendons (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis) or of the long head of biceps are also common, with partial or complete ruptures being more infrequent. Ultrasound scan also help diagnose frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), or osteoarthritis (wear and tear) of the shoulder or acromio-clavicular joint.
At Phoenix Ultrasound, our skilled professionals are trained to identify and interpret a range of conditions, providing you with a comprehensive assessment of your health.
There is no essential preparation for this scan.
However, as the scan involves exposing the shoulder, from the neck to the upper arm, we recommend wearing clothing that allows easy access and full mobility of the shoulder.
Our ultrasound specialist will explain the procedure before starting. You will be guided to sit upright facing the sonographer and expose the shoulder region. A small amount of water-based gel will be applied to the examined area for optimal imaging.
Our specialist will move the probe on your skin to produce diagnostic ultrasound images. You may be asked to move the shoulder and arm in various positions, which helps better visualise tendons and other structures around the shoulder. Shoulder ultrasound scan is safe, non-invasive (external, onto the skin), involve no radiation, and are painless so you are not expected to feel any discomfort during your ultrasound scan.
A shoulder ultrasound scan is usually completed within 15-20 minutes. Our sonographer will provide recommendations based on the findings of the ultrasound scan.
You will receive your results verbally immediately after the scan. Following the appointment, the sonographer will review the images and prepare a written report within 24 hours, with any recommended actions.
The report and images will be sent to you, allowing you to discuss the findings with your doctor or physiotherapist if necessary.
There are no associated risks or side effects with a shoulder ultrasound scan. Ultrasound, the imaging technique used, does not involve any radiation. This is one reason why doctors prefer ultrasound for monitoring developing babies in pregnant women.
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