Diagnosis of a calcified shoulder

The possibilities for diagnosing a calcified shoulder vary depending on how advanced the disease is at the time of the doctor’s visit. Often the diagnosis is even a chance diagnosis, which is made in the course of another examination, as it sometimes has a very long painless interval. On the one hand, the exact anamnesis of the patient is important, i.e. the exact questioning of the pain.

It can help the doctor if the patient brings a pain diary to his appointment in which he has noted down exactly these points over several days. During the physical examination, the orthopedist performs various tests to check the range of motion of the shoulder joint and to show whether and to what extent a movement restriction has already developed. In addition to the detailed examination, imaging procedures are the most important pillar of the diagnosis of a calcified shoulder.

Both ultrasound and X-rays allow any calcific deposits that may be present to be very clearly identified and precisely localized. A magnetic resonance tomography of the shoulder (MRI) can also show the calcifications, but is not primarily performed due to the greater complexity and costs involved. It must always be kept in mind that the size and number of calcifications do not always necessarily correlate with the extent of the patient’s complaints.

Furthermore, calcification is not so easily visible in MRI of the shoulder.

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A calcified shoulder can be easily visualized in ultrasound. In addition, the sonographic examination is a fast, uncomplicated and side-effect free method.

The calcification appears as an echo rich, i.e. bright structure in the image, which may also cast typical shadows in the image. The deposit is usually found in the middle of the tendon. In the MRI, a calcified shoulder can be seen by means of the thickened tendons and the calcified deposits in the tissue.

However, due to better availability, an x-ray examination is often performed. A sonographic examination (ultrasound) is also a good complement to X-ray and MRI.With Sono, the patient is not exposed to any radiation, which is an advantage over X-rays. Furthermore, an ultrasound machine is available in every medical facility and the examination can be performed quickly and easily, which is a clear advantage over MRI.