Question
Does rotator cuff disease always show up on an mri or x-rays

Answer
Jennifer:

Thanks for Writing!

The short answer is "no". Rotator cuff tears do not normally show up on x-rays, since x-rays are used to show bone condition and the rotator cuff is a cartilage.

MRI is for showing soft tissue condition but it will sometimes miss a rotator cuff tear also.

In my experience, many, many times a person will be told they have a rotator cuff disease when in fact the shoulder is hurting because of a relfex from an organ of the body. The liver and gall bladder are always suspect if it is a right shoulder and the heart is always possible if it is a left shoulder pain.

This does not mean the person has a liver disease or a heart disease. I am talking about a malfunction of these organs, not a disease of these organs. It is a different thing.

What have you heard about chiropractic? Chiropractic can help with shoulder pain, even if other methods have failed.

If a chiropractor you have gone to has told you you have a rotator cuff tear, go to a different chiropractor. I might be abel to give you a referral to good chiropractor in your area, it depends on the location.

Dr. Rozeboom.