At George Murrell Shoulders, we emphasize the significance of a plain X-ray in diagnosing various shoulder conditions. X-rays are crucial for identifying calcific tendonitis, an intensely painful condition that responds well to early treatment. They are also instrumental in confirming or ruling out arthritis as a symptom. Additionally, X-rays can indicate rotator cuff dysfunction by revealing spur or esotro bone formations on the acromion and the greater tuberosity. Our facility is equipped with a high-quality on-site x-ray system, enabling us to swiftly and accurately assess these conditions with a shoulder X-Ray, thus facilitating treatment plans for our patients. This diagnostic capability supports the comprehensive care provided by our shoulder specialists in Sydney and aligns with our approach to advanced shoulder surgery in Sydney, ensuring that each patient receives the most effective and tailored treatment strategy.
Investigations
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is an effective, cost-efficient tool for confirming or ruling out rotator cuff tears. At George Murrell Shoulders, we understand that the accuracy of shoulder ultrasound is highly dependent on the operator’s expertise. Clinics that conduct a high volume of these ultrasounds generally achieve greater accuracy. We are proud to offer one of the top ultrasound facilities, specialising in rotator cuff assessment, ensuring precise and reliable diagnostic results for our patients. We are also pioneers in using a modality called elastography which assesses the stiffness of shoulders based on data from ultrasound scanning. This information is helpful for diagnosing and monitoring tendon healing after rotator cuff surgery.
MRI
At George Murrell Shoulders, we find ultrasound to be highly effective in identifying the presence and size of rotator cuff tears, often outperforming MRI in this specific aspect. Ultrasound is also invaluable for evaluating suprascapular nerve dysfunction. It is particularly adept at detecting ganglions that may compress the suprascapular nerve in the spino-glenoid notch. Ultrasound is not so helpful when assessing labral injuries – injuries to the tissue surrounding the glenoid – often associated with shoulder dislocations. MRI, in skilled hands, is better for assessing these injuries.
