Shoulder Pain & MRI Findings: What Matters for Clinical Practice

Shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal presentations at our physiotherapy practice in Tullamarine and Carlton. MRI is frequently requested, but emerging evidence highlights that imaging findings often do not correlate with symptoms, particularly in atraumatic cases.

Key Takeaways

• MRI abnormalities are extremely common:
  Up to 98.7% of adults aged 41–76 show rotator cuff changes on MRI
  → including 96% of people with NO shoulder pain
• Structural findings ≠ pain source
  Tendinopathy, partial tears, and even full thickness tears are often asymptomatic
• Routine MRI has limited value in atraumatic shoulder pain. High prevalence reduces its ability to guide diagnosis or treatment.

Many MRI findings reflect normal age-related changes, not pathology.

Best Practice Approach

• Prioritise clinical assessment and functional limitations
• Use imaging selectively, not routinely
• Focus on early, active management

At The Physio Crew located in Carlton and Tullamarine, we are experienced in managing complex shoulder presentations with a strong focus on clinical reasoning over imaging. Our therapists are skilled in managing shoulder conditions such as shoulder bursitis, rotator cuff tears and pathology, frozen shoulder, shoulder arthritis and many other conditions.

Our well equiped physio gym is available for our patients in Carlton and Tullamarine and surrounding areas to complete their shoulder rehab. If you are looking for a physio near Carlton or physio near Tullamarine, we have multiple sites to help you achieve you health goals.

TPC