HOW IS SHOULDER INSTABILITY DIAGNOSED?
A complete history and physical examination should be done by a physician. The examination includes palpation to check for points of tenderness as well as a determination of range of motion and strength. The degree of shoulder looseness or laxity of the shoulder joint can also be assessed by specific tests during the examination . X-rays are usually done to obtain information about the possible causes of the instability and to rule out other causes of shoulder pain, such as a fracture. Additional tests such as a magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI) or a dye test (arthrogram) with or without a CT (computed tomography) scan are occasionally done to further evaluate the bones and tissues of the shoulder joint. However, these scans are not required in all patients with instability.
