From the Guidelines
A shoulder x-ray is a quick and painless imaging test that uses radiation to create pictures of your shoulder joint, including the bones and surrounding tissues, and can help identify fractures, dislocations, arthritis, and other conditions 1. You can expect the x-ray procedure to take less than 15 minutes, after which your doctor will review the images and discuss the findings with you, typically within a few days, and may recommend additional imaging tests like an MRI or ultrasound if necessary 1.
From the Research
Shoulder X-ray Explanation
- A shoulder x-ray is an imaging test used to evaluate the shoulder joint and surrounding tissues, and you can expect the results to help diagnose various conditions such as fractures, dislocations, or other pathologies 2, 3.
- The x-ray results will be analyzed by a healthcare professional to assess the alignment, bone density, cartilage spaces, and soft tissues of the shoulder joint, and may be used in conjunction with other imaging modalities such as ultrasound or MRI to confirm a diagnosis 4, 5.