Diagnosis
To diagnose shoulder bursitis, a doctor needs to do some tests to rule out other possible causes of shoulder pain. These include lab tests, a diagnostic injection, or medical imaging. Combined with a physical exam and interview, the results can help find out the underlying cause. Medical imaging is the most effective way to find out inflammation around the shoulder bursae. Common options include:
– Ultrasound to identify excess synovial fluid in the bursae or a thickened bursal membrane
– MRI to take detailed pictures of soft and bone tissues around the bursae
– X-ray to detect possible signs of osteoarthritis [4]
