Frozen Shoulder: Diagnostic Tests

Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification.

  • Sonography (ultrasound examination) of the shoulder – to examine the rotator cuff, subacromial bursa/bursa subdeltoidea and biceps tendon.
  • X-rays of the shoulder, in three planes – if necessary, evidence of degenerative changes at the greater tuberosity or acromioclavicular joint (sclerosis, roughening, spur formation).
  • Computed tomography (CT) – sectional imaging method (X-ray images from different directions with computer-based evaluation), particularly well suited for imaging of bony injuries.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – computer-assisted cross-sectional imaging procedure (using magnetic fields, that is, without X-rays) without the administration of contrast media [thickening of the joint capsule and synovium?]
  • MRI arthrography (radiological imaging of a joint; contrast medium is injected into the joint for this purpose) [thickening of the coracohumeral ligaments and joint capsule?, rotator cuff rupture?, subacromial adhesions after previous surgical procedures?]