Shoulder & Upper Arm Scan

£119

This scan is available to men & women from the age of 16 years.

Pain or discomfort in the shoulder and upper arm can affect daily activities such as lifting, reaching or sleeping. Within this region, there are many complex structures including muscles, tendons, bursae and joints, all of which can be prone to irritation, inflammation or injury.

If you have been experiencing any discomfort in the area on either side, Shoulder & Upper Arm Scan can provide you with assessment of these structures, helping you to understand the cause of the pain and discuss possible treatments further with your GP.

At Ultrasound Care, we provide shoulder ultrasounds, including the upper arm for men and women aged 16 and above. Our qualified sonographers are here to provide you with peace of mind about your pain.

The Purpose of A Shoulder & Upper Arm Scan

There are many conditions that can affect the shoulder and upper arm. A Shoulder & Upper Arm Scan can help to identify:

Rotator cuff injuries or tears
Tendon degeneration or inflammation
Frozen shoulder
Bursitis, such as subacromial bursitis
Muscle strains or tears
Joint inflammation or fluid build-up
Calcific tendinitis

Common Signs Indicating The Need For A Shoulder & Upper Arm Scan

There are numerous common signs that may indicate getting a shoulder & upper arm scan is beneficial, including:

Pain when lifting or rotating the arm
Continuous pain in the shoulder or upper arm regions
Pain following injury or overuse
Weakness or reduced movement
Pain at night that affects sleep

Who Would Benefit From A Shoulder & Upper Arm Scan?

Many people can be affected by shoulder or upper arm pain and therefore would benefit from a shoulder scan to assess the source of the pain. Those that may benefit from a Shoulder & Upper Arm Scan includes:

Athletes
Manual workers
Individuals with chronic shoulder pain
Patients with muscle injury or suspected tendon injury
Those struggling with restricted shoulder movement

The Procedure for A Shoulder & Upper Arm Scan

Whilst there is no preparation needed for this scan, we do recommend that you wear loose clothing and, if possible, sleeveless tops in order to access the shoulder joint and upper arm easily during the ultrasound scan.

During your scan, our sonographer will ask you to remove or adjust your clothing in order to reach the shoulder area. Following this, they will:

Discuss your discomfort and past medical concerns
Position your shoulder and arm for the ultrasound
Apply a water based gel and use a probe to examine the tendons, muscles and joints around the shoulder and upper arm regions
You may be asked to move your arm or shoulder during the scan to assess function

A shoulder ultrasound scan is not painful and is a non-invasive procedure meaning you can go back to normal activity following the scan. It should typically take approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

After your scan is complete, our sonographers will discuss any concerns with you and provide you with a detailed report on their findings, including imagery, to discuss further with your GP. Please be aware that we do not communicate directly with your healthcare provider, this is a private scan.