POCUS View

Shoulder Ultrasound

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Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

Use a high-frequency linear probe with the patient seated. Systematically image the rotator cuff and related structures: the long head of the biceps tendon in the bicipital groove (transverse and longitudinal), the subscapularis tendon (with the arm externally rotated), and the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons (with the hand placed behind the hip or on the back pocket). To assess for a glenohumeral effusion or dislocation, image the posterior joint with the probe over the infraspinatus and posterior glenohumeral joint.

How to Interpret

Rotator Cuff Tear

Full-thickness rotator cuff tear on shoulder ultrasound

Rule in

Very helpful

Rule out

Very helpful

Evidence:Strong

Partial-thickness rotator cuff tear on shoulder ultrasound

Rule in

Helpful

Rule out

Minimally helpful

Evidence:Limited

References

Lenza M, Buchbinder R, Takwoingi Y, Johnston RV, Hanchard NCA, Faloppa F. Magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance arthrography and ultrasonography for assessing rotator cuff tears in people with shoulder pain for whom surgery is being considered. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Sep 24;2013(9):CD009020. PMID 24065456; DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD009020.pub2. Free PMC article.
Lenza M, Buchbinder R, Takwoingi Y, Johnston RV, Hanchard NCA, Faloppa F. Magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance arthrography and ultrasonography for assessing rotator cuff tears in people with shoulder pain for whom surgery is being considered. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Sep 24;2013(9):CD009020. PMID 24065456; DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD009020.pub2. Free PMC article. Partial-thickness sub-analysis.
Hagen-Ansert SL. Textbook of Diagnostic Sonography. 9th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022.
Soni NJ, Arntfield R, Kory P. Point of Care Ultrasound. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019.