Shoulder MRI: Rotator Cuff Tears, Labral Injuries, and More

Shoulder pain is one of the most common reasons adults visit a doctor. When physical therapy, rest, and anti-inflammatory medication are not resolving your symptoms, your physician will likely order an MRI to see what is happening inside the joint.

Why MRI for the Shoulder?

X-rays are excellent for bones — fractures, arthritis, bone spurs. But the shoulder is primarily a soft tissue joint. The rotator cuff, labrum, tendons, cartilage, and bursa that allow your shoulder to move cannot be seen on X-ray.

MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of these soft tissues. It is the gold standard for evaluating shoulder problems.

Common Conditions Diagnosed by Shoulder MRI

Rotator Cuff Tears The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. Tears are extremely common — especially after age 40 — and can result from: - Acute injury (fall, lifting, sports) - Chronic wear and tear (repetitive overhead motions) - Degenerative changes (aging)

MRI can distinguish between: - Partial-thickness tears — only part of the tendon is torn (often treatable with physical therapy) - Full-thickness tears — the tendon is completely torn through (may require surgical repair) - Tendinitis/tendinosis — inflammation or degeneration without a tear

Labral Tears (SLAP Tears) The labrum is a ring of cartilage that deepens the shoulder socket. Labral tears are common in: - Overhead athletes (baseball, tennis, swimming) - People who have dislocated their shoulder - Workers with repetitive overhead tasks

A SLAP tear (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior) specifically involves the top of the labrum where the biceps tendon attaches.

Impingement Syndrome When rotator cuff tendons get pinched between the bones of the shoulder, it causes pain with overhead movements. MRI can show: - Tendon inflammation - Fluid in the bursa (bursitis) - Bone spurs narrowing the space - How much the tendons are affected

Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) Frozen shoulder causes progressive stiffness and pain. MRI can show thickening of the joint capsule, helping confirm the diagnosis and ruling out other causes.

Arthritis While X-ray shows bone-on-bone changes, MRI can detect early cartilage loss, bone marrow edema (swelling), and joint effusion (fluid) — all signs of arthritis before it becomes severe.

With or Without Contrast?

Without contrast (most common): Standard shoulder MRI provides excellent visualization of the rotator cuff, labrum, and other structures. This is what your doctor will typically order.

MR Arthrogram: For suspected labral tears, an MR arthrogram may be ordered. This involves injecting contrast directly into the shoulder joint before the MRI, which outlines the labrum in greater detail. The injection is performed under fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance.

What to Expect

• Duration: 30-45 minutes
• Position: Lying on your back with your arm at your side
• Comfort: You will receive ear protection (MRI machines are loud). Let us know if you need a blanket or pillow.
• Movement: Stay as still as possible. Even small movements can blur the images.
• Open MRI option: If you are claustrophobic or cannot fit comfortably in a traditional scanner, our Open MRI provides a spacious alternative.

Preparation - Wear comfortable clothing without metal (zippers, snaps, underwire) - Remove all jewelry, watches, and piercings - No special dietary preparation is needed - Take your regular medications as usual - Inform us about any metal implants (pacemakers, joint replacements, surgical hardware)

After the MRI

Our radiologist will analyze every image and generate a detailed report for your physician. Results are typically available within 48 hours.

Based on the findings, your doctor may recommend: - Physical therapy (partial tears, tendinitis, impingement) - Cortisone injection (bursitis, inflammation) - Surgical referral (full-thickness tears, large labral tears) - Monitoring (small findings that may not need treatment)

Do Not Ignore Shoulder Pain

Rotator cuff tears can worsen over time. A partial tear can become a full tear. Early diagnosis means more treatment options — including non-surgical ones.

If your shoulder pain has lasted more than a few weeks, talk to your doctor about an MRI. At AMI, we offer both high-field 1.5T and Open MRI options with same-week appointments.

Call (727) 398-5999 or schedule online.