An injury to the rotator cuff can be diagnosed using one or a combination of the following tests, in order of significance: Physical examination, performed by a doctor to examine the limitations of the shoulder in different movements; Painful Arc tests may be performed by a physician to determine pain resulting when raising the arm beyond 90 degrees, pain that is elicited when raising the arm beyond 90 degrees; X-rays may be taken, but plain films don’t detect rotator cuff problems. They may show fractures, bone spurs, or other bone abnormalities; Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) testing uses magnetic waves to create highly detailed images of the muscles, bones, and tendons in the shoulder; Ultrasonography, where an ultrasound probe directs painless high-frequency sound waves at the shoulder, to create images of the muscles and tendons; Computed tomography (CT) scans utilize a machine to take multiple X-rays of the shoulder, which are then reconstructed by a computer to create detailed images. CT is not as effective as MRI at detecting rotator cuff problems and Arthrogram, where dye is injected into the shoulder joint and X-ray films are taken. If the X-rays show evidence of dye leaking out of the shoulder joint it may indicate a rotator cuff tear.
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