Rotator Cuff - MRI and other investigations used for diagnosis
If a doctor suspects a rotator cuff tear or injury, they have a set of questions and diagnostic tests that can be done to confirm their suspicion. Many of these are quick and non-invasive and can lead to a diagnosis of injuries to the rotator cuff. MRI does not always need to be done for diagnosis but can be helpful.
Diagnosis of a torn rotator cuff starts with a history and physical exam. The doctor will ask about all the questions related to rotator cuff pain, onset, symptoms, and how it started. A physical exam will be done to check for the strength of the rotator cuff. The bulk of muscles and strength of the arm and shoulder will be tested to compare the left to the right.
The doctor may still be concerned about any possible rotator cuff injuries (including tears, inflammation, impingement, and other problems with this set of muscles). If this is the case, then a few “special tests” can be performed. Special tests mean more specific physical exam tests that help pick out a injured rotator cuff.
One of these special tests is the drop arm test. The doctor will have a patient stand up and will slowly raise the arm out to the side (adduction). once the arm is almost fully vertical, the patient is asked to very slowly lower the arm while keeping it out to the side. This test is considered positive for a rotator cuff tear if the arm quickly drops around the 90 degree point. It is important to have this test done only in the presence of a trained professional.
If the doctor is still unsure about an injury to the rotator cuff, MRI may be helpful with diagnosis. Unfortunately, though, it may take awhile to get an MRI booked, and is a significantly more costly test. Rotator cuff MRI is able to discover smaller tears that may not be discovered by physical exam alone.
If a diagnosis of a rotator cuff tear is made, the doctor may suggest physiotherapy. The Ultimate Rotator Cuff Training Guide is full of exercises that help improve the function of the rotator cuff. The exercises are designed to strengthen and support the muscles of the rotator cuff.
Click here to learn more about it.
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