Rotator Cuff Injuries: Investigating the problem

Physical examination

Mr. Cole will talk to you about your shoulder symptoms and your shoulder's history. He will examine your shoulder and look at areas such as your range of movement. He will specifically assess the strength of your rotator cuff tendons and muscles with clinical tests.

Ultrasound or MRI

If Mr. Cole suspects that your tendon is torn, he will request an ultrasound scan or an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Image). Both of these scans show the tendons and can highlight any damaged areas.
An ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to produce images of the body. The procedure is painless and is particularly useful for muscle and tendon injuries.

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It uses a powerful magnet to obtain three dimensional pictures of body structures. Sometimes it is necessary to inject the shoulder area with a dye to enhance the quality of the MRI "picture". Like ultrasound, it is a non-invasive and painless procedure. It may give a little more detail with regards to the size and potential reparability of any torn tendons.