What is a Shoulder CT Scan Used to Diagnose?
A CT, or computed tomography scan, is a type of medical imaging scan that produces detailed images of the inside of the body without having to perform surgery or invasive procedures. CT scans can diagnose a wide range of medical conditions and diseases affecting the bones, organs, blood vessels and soft tissues.
They can be used to diagnose breaks, fractures, tears, infections, blood clots, inflammation and cancer, and are also used to monitor the progress of a disease or how well a treatment might be working.
CT scans are used to scan most areas of the body, and a shoulder CT scan is used to discover the cause of pain, stiffness, swelling and immobility in the shoulder joint.
What is a Shoulder CT Scan?
An example of a ball-and-socket joint, the shoulder is a complex structure comprising two separate joints (the glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joints) containing multiple bones. The three prominent bones of the shoulder are the:
- Humerus
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Scapula
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Clavicle
The humerus is the long bone of the upper arm. At its top, it has a rounded, ball-shaped head that fits into the “socket” of the scapula (shoulder blade), forming the glenohumeral shoulder joint. The clavicle (collarbone) is attached to the scapula on its outer edge, forming the acromioclavicular joint, and at the other end, it attaches the shoulder to the sternum (breastbone).
A strong muscle called the rotator cuff sits between the humerus and scapula, which keeps the shoulder joint stable through a range of up-and-down, rotating and side-to-side motions.
A shoulder CT scan is a CT scan that focuses on the bones, muscles and soft tissue of the shoulder joint.
Why You Might Need a Shoulder CT Scan
If you have pain in your shoulder that’s either developed slowly over time or that started suddenly after falling onto your shoulder or sustaining an injury where your arm or shoulder was forced out of position, you may benefit from a computed tomography scan of your shoulder joint.
A shoulder CT scan is used by doctors to discover the cause of shoulder pain and immobility and to diagnose conditions that can affect the joint.
What a Shoulder CT Scan Can Diagnose
CT scans of the shoulder can diagnose a wide range of conditions and injuries, including those that can affect the bones, such as fractures and dislocations, and the muscles and soft tissue, such as rotator cuff tears or tendonitis. They may be used on their own, or they may form part of a range of tests that includes blood tests, x-rays and MRI scans, depending on your symptoms and medical history.
Fractures
Slips, trips, falls and other sports injuries can cause a break, or a fracture, to one or more of the bones in the shoulder joint. Shoulder fractures are also common after motorbike accidents.
Dislocations
A dislocation occurs when a bone is forced out of place due to an accident or injury. In the shoulder joint, a dislocation occurs when the head of the humerus is forced out of the socket of the scapula. Like fractures, a shoulder dislocation will cause immediate and often severe shoulder pain.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis caused by age and general wear and tear that results in the wearing away of the layer of cartilage that cushions the joint. As a result, the bones rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness and immobility.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis causes similar symptoms to osteoarthritis, but is a type of autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the cartilage and soft tissues, resulting in pain, swelling, inflammation and mobility problems. Like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis will progressively get worse over time.
Rotator Cuff Tears
A rotator cuff tear is common in those who repeatedly have their arms above their heads for work, such as plasterers, painters, or those who play certain sports that involve lots of upper arm movements. A rotator cuff tear causes a dull ache in the shoulder that can be made worse by lying down.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon (the soft tissue that connects muscles to bones). The tendons in the shoulder can become inflamed through overuse or repetitive motions that put strain on the shoulder joint, such as through sports, work or injury. Tendonitis causes pain, stiffness, immobility and weakness in the shoulder joint.
Bursitis
The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints, allowing the bones, tendons and muscles to move freely. They can become inflamed through injury or overuse, leading to bursitis that causes pain and swelling in the shoulder.
Labral Tears
The labrum is a thick ring of cartilage within the shoulder socket that allows for a full range of movement. Falling on the shoulder or using it for repetitive motions can cause a tear to the labrum that results in pain, weakness, instability and immobility.
Frozen Shoulder
A frozen shoulder causes pain and stiffness that makes it difficult to raise your arms above your head and rotate your shoulder joint. It’s a condition that can get progressively worse over time. The causes are not fully understood, but you could be more at risk of a frozen shoulder if you’ve had a previous shoulder injury or surgery to the area.
Impingement Syndrome
Shoulder impingement is caused by irritation to the tendons in the shoulder joint, leading to pain when you lift your arm or lay on it in your sleep. Injury to the shoulder can also result in shoulder impingement syndrome.
Calcific Tendonitis
If the tendons in the shoulder joint experience a high level of wear and tear, calcium deposits can build up in the soft tissue, leading to calcific tendonitis. This can cause pain that ranges from a dull, persistent ache, accompanied by shoulder stiffness to sudden and severe pain as the calcium deposits get reabsorbed by the body. The pain can also radiate into the arm and neck.
Synovitis
The inner lining of a joint, including the shoulder joint, is called the synovium, and it’s responsible for producing a fluid called synovial fluid that keeps the joint hydrated and mobile. Synovitis occurs when the synovium becomes inflamed through injury, wear and tear or a condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, leading to pain, swelling and stiffness.
How a CT Scan of the Shoulder Works
A CT scan uses x-rays and computerised technology to produce detailed images of the structures and soft tissues inside the body. These images are cross-sectional or taken in “slices” as the CT machine rotates around the body, and they can be collated to produce three-dimensional images of the bones, muscles, blood vessels and soft tissues.
Equipment Used
A CT scanner is a round doughnut-shaped machine that moves around the body as you lie on a flat bed and remain still.
Benefits
CT scans are quick, painless and detailed, producing much more in-depth images than normal X-rays. They can be easier to tolerate than MRI scans for people with claustrophobia as the machine moves around and up and down the body, rather than the need to enter the tunnel-like MRI machine.
Risks
Side effects from CT scans are rare, but there are some risk factors. Some people develop allergies to the contrast dye used in some CT scans (see below). If you have a contrast dye CT scan, you’ll be asked to stay in the clinic for half an hour after your scan in case you develop any allergic symptoms. These include:
- Difficulty breathing
-
Feeling flushed
-
Sweating
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Feeling weak
These symptoms usually disappear quickly, but tell your radiographer if you feel unwell.
Since CT scans use X-ray radiation, there’s a small risk of radiation exposure, especially if you need to have multiple scans, but the benefits of having a CT scan to diagnose a condition usually outweigh these small risk factors.
How to Prepare for a Shoulder CT Scan
Your medical team will inform you if you need to make any changes to your diet or any medications before your scan. Most of the time, you can eat and drink normally before a shoulder CT scan, but always take your doctor’s advice.
The Procedure Explained: What to Expect
Shoulder CT scans are carried out by a medical professional called a radiographer and usually take 15 to 30 minutes.
Changing into a Gown (If Required)
Most CT scans require you to wear a medical gown to ensure that you’re comfortable throughout. It’s helpful, however, to wear loose-fitting clothing to your appointment that’s easy to remove if you’re asked to get changed.
Removing Metal Objects
You will need to remove anything metallic from your body before entering the scan room. This includes jewellery, watches, piercings and clothing that contains metal such as belt buckles, bra straps, zips and poppers. Coins, bank cards and mobile phones will also need to be left in a safe place.
Positioning on the CT Table
You will then be asked to lie on a table - your radiographer will help to position your shoulder so that the correct images can be taken. Your radiographer will then move to a different room to take the scan, but you will be able to communicate with them through a microphone.
Contrast Injection (If Needed)
A contrast dye containing iodine or barium is sometimes used to show the CT images in more detail. This is usually given as a drink or injected into a vein before your scan. Your medical team will tell you if you’re due to have a contrast-dye shoulder CT scan.
If you have any known allergies to contrast dyes, let your medical team know beforehand. If necessary, they may refer you for a different scan, such as a standard x-ray.
Scanner Rotating Around Shoulder
When the CT scanner is switched on, it will move over your head and around your shoulder, taking cross-sectional, three-dimensional images.
Completion and Await Results From Radiologist
Once your radiographer is happy they have the right images, they will stop the scanner, and your shoulder CT scan is complete. You’ll be able to get up off the bed and get dressed.
What Happens After a Shoulder CT Scan?
After your shoulder CT scan, you’ll be able to return home the same day and return to your normal duties. If you have a shoulder injury, you should follow the advice from your medical team on rest and safe movement until you get a definitive diagnosis and begin the necessary treatment.
Getting the Results
If you have a shoulder fracture or dislocation that’s causing immediate and severe pain, your medical team may give you the results of your shoulder CT scan straight away or later on the same day. They may also administer treatment on the same day.
In other cases, where you’ve had shoulder pain, stiffness, weakness, instability, swelling and/or problems with mobility for some time, it may take a few days before you receive your results, diagnosis and treatment plan.
Normal vs Abnormal Results
Your radiologist will be able to tell the difference between a normal shoulder and a shoulder that’s affected by damage or disease. They will explain what’s causing your shoulder pain and other symptoms and how they can help treat your condition. Treatments vary between rest, physiotherapy and surgery, or a combination of all three.
Costs
In the UK, a private shoulder CT scan starts at around £360 and can go up to around £600 to £800, depending on your clinic and whether or not you require a contrast dye. Any subsequent treatment will cost extra.
Get a Shoulder CT Scan
Acute or chronic shoulder pain can disrupt your everyday life and get in the way of sports and other activities. Many conditions of the shoulder can cause similar symptoms, and understanding which one you have is essential for getting the correct treatment.
Therefore, diagnosing what’s causing your shoulder pain is important. Unless it’s an emergency, it can take a long time to get an NHS appointment for a shoulder CT scan, so some people choose to go private.
Our simple online booking system is quick and easy to use - if you’re looking for a private shoulder CT scan, book with one of our UK-wide clinics today.
FAQs
What Does a CT Scan of the Shoulder Show?
A shoulder CT scan will show the bones, muscles, tendons and other soft tissues within the shoulder joint and highlight any disease or abnormalities, including fractures, dislocations and inflammation.
How Long Does a CT Scan of the Shoulder Take?
CT scans of the shoulder usually take no more than 15 to 30 minutes.
References
Krans, B. (2018, May 26). Shoulder CT scan. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/shoulder-ct-scan
Bsn, R. Z. R. (2023, March 15). CT (Computed Tomography) scan. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/ct-scan
Website, N. (2024e, December 11). CT scan. nhs.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ct-scan/
Professional, C. C. M. (2025c, March 19). Shoulder joint. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24780-shoulder-joint