Diagnosing Shoulder Pain

In brief

When examining an athlete who has acute or chronic shoulder pain, the initial diagnostic imaging method should be plain film radiography. This technique identifies most fractures, dislocations, calcific deposits, and degenerative processes. Other common shoulder disorders may be more readily diagnosed with different techniques, including bone scan, arthrogram, MRI, computed arthrotomogram, or CT.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

David J. Sartoris

Dr Sartoris is associate professor of radiology at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine and chief of musculoskeletal imaging at UCSD Medical Center.