Impingement Syndrome: Diagnostic Tests

Obligatory medical device diagnostics.

  • Radiograph of the shoulder, in 3 planes (true a.p., axial and shoulder according to Morrison or outlet-view) – in advanced stages, characteristic changes at the acromion (bony prominence of the scapula (shoulder blade)) and in the acromioclavicular joint (acromioclavicular joint) or a humeral head elevation (reduced distance between the humeral head and the acromion) as an indirect sign of a rupture (tear) of the supraspinatus tendon (attachment tendon of the supraspinatus muscle (upper spine muscle))[acromion spur?, ACG osteoarthritis?, anomaly of the proc. coracoideus?, calcific deposits?]

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

  • Sonography (ultrasound examination) of the shoulder (also offers the possibility of dynamic examination) – to check whether fluid accumulations in the bursa subacromialis (bursa between the acromioclavicular joint and the tendon of the supraspinatus muscle) and/or thinning of the rotator cuff are to be found
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; computer-assisted cross-sectional imaging (using magnetic fields, i.e., without X-rays)) of the shoulder – to determine the distance between the humerus (upper arm bone) and the acromion (should be at least 10 mm) and to detect soft tissue involvement; may also show minor partial ruptures[bursitis (bursitis)?, cartilage lesions? Cysts?, pathological changes of the long biceps tendon including the capsule-labrum complex?, calcific deposits?]
  • Computed tomography (CT) of the shoulder – to detect bony involvement.
  • Radiographs of adjacent joints – to exclude co-involvement.