Special Diagnostic Tests for Shoulder Pain

If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, it may be tempting to Google your symptoms and possible causes. However, it would be best to undergo a shoulder diagnostic test to identify the causes and diagnose the condition.

The experts at World Frozen Shoulder Clinic provide a frozen shoulder self diagnosis test and other exams to diagnose your condition. With the results, we’ll be able to administer treatments to help you experience lasting relief. In this post, we’ll highlight special diagnostics tests for shoulder pain.

What are Some Special Tests for the Shoulder?

Imaging tests look for damage to joints, bones, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. These shoulder pain tests can also look for changes over time. They include:

Ultrasound

Ultrasounds are a type of shoulder diagnostic test that assesses shoulder pain. They use sound waves to create images of the inside of the body and can help identify any problems with the shoulder area’s tendons, muscles, or bones. Ultrasounds are generally quick and easy to perform, and they do not require any special preparation on the part of the patient.

MRI

Radiologists will obtain images via a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test to understand soft tissue injuries better. These are useful for determining the extent of damage to the ligaments and tendons surrounding the shoulder.

X-rays

Regarding shoulder pain, X-rays are one of the most common shoulder diagnostic tests. This imaging test can identify any bone abnormalities or degeneration that may be causing your pain. In some cases, X-rays can also show signs of arthritis or other conditions affecting your shoulder joint.

EMG

Another shoulder pain test is an electromyogram (EMG). A radiologist or another medical professional will recommend an EMG when nerve damage is suspected of causing your shoulder pain and weakness. The electrical activity test detects the muscles’ response to a stimulus.

Arthrogram

During this shoulder diagnostic test, dye is injected to help doctors distinguish damage to the shoulder joint, muscles, and tendons.

Other special diagnostic tests include:

The Neer Test

The Neer Test is intended to detect shoulder impingement. Your doctor will stand behind you with one hand on the affected shoulder while you keep your arms down by your sides. Then the doctor will rotate your arm inward, so your thumb faces backward and down. They then straighten your arm and raise it upwards.

Speed’s Test

A doctor or another medical professional will ask you to raise your arm until it is parallel to the floor. They will then push your arm down with your palm facing up while you actively resist the force.

As you push back against the pressure, you may experience pain in the front of your shoulder. This could indicate that you have biceps tendonitis.

How Should You Prepare for a Shoulder Diagnostic Test?

Before your shoulder pain test, ask your doctor about any specific instructions you should follow. For example, you may be asked to avoid eating or drinking for a certain time before the test.

When you arrive for your test, tell the staff if you have any allergies or medical conditions that could affect the test. Once the shoulder diagnostic test begins, you will likely be asked to lie still on a table while the machine takes images of your shoulder.

The process usually takes 30-60 minutes, after which you will be free to go home. Be sure to follow any instructions from your doctor on how to care for your shoulder afterward, as some tests can temporarily aggravate symptoms.

Shoulder Diagnostic Tests Available at World Frozen Shoulder Clinic

While various issues can cause shoulder pain, it can be difficult to diagnose the exact condition. That’s where World Frozen Shoulder Clinic comes in. In addition to our frozen shoulder self diagnosis, we provide frozen shoulder treatment and other procedures to treat all types of shoulder pain. Schedule a free consultation today. 

Categorised in: Uncategorized