My Shoulder MRI Is Normal. Could There Still Be Something Wrong?

No imaging study is perfect. This is very important to understand when it comes to “MRI” studies of the shoulder.

Many patients with shoulder pain will try many treatments to make their pain better, including changing their activities, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory and other medications, and chiropractic adjustment. Often, these treatments can be successful, but when they are not and the pain continues, an MRI study may be helpful to look for a cause of the shoulder pain.

But sometimes even though your shoulder hurts, the MRI looks normal. How can this be?

It is very important to understand that an MRI, much like a photograph, is only a single “glimpse” of one moment in time. It does not show what happens to the structures of the shoulder, such as the rotator cuff, biceps, and labrum, during actual movement of the shoulder.

In other words, an MRI is like a photograph while you actually need a video recording to see the problem!

This is another reason why ultrasound is very helpful. Ultrasound can evaluate the structures of the shoulder during movement. The shoulder can also be re-positioned and structures can be looked at more closely with a simple movement of the ultrasound probe. Dr. Johnny T. Nelson, MD is the only fellowship trained shoulder specialist in the Raleigh Durham North Carolina area that uses ultrasound during clinic visits to evaluate the rotator cuff and other structures in the shoulder.

Because MRI studies can miss tears and other problems in the shoulder, there are situations where patients decide to move forward with a shoulder scope procedure even though very little is found on the MRI. Often in these situations, sizable tears are found in the rotator cuff, even though the MRI was normal! This is well-documented in the medical literature.

If you have had an MRI study of your shoulder and would like to have Dr. Johnny T. Nelson, MD review the MRI and examine your shoulder, call 919-872-5296 today to schedule a visit with North Carolina’s rotator cuff repair specialist!