The standard technique for scanning the shoulder and the rotator cuff tendons is well established. Some sonographers go so far as to consider it a simple examination and use the same technique for almost every patient. The shoulder ultrasound and the art of achieving adequate visualisation of the rotator cuff tendons can be a challenging examination. In certain clinical situations the protocol must be tailored to suit the patient's specific anatomy or pathology.

This presentation and workshop will aim to highlight some of the common traps that a sonographer may encounter in the "routine" shoulder ultrasound - identification of the rotator cable, the different types of tendinopathy, appearance of post-surgical changes, full versus partial thickness tears and pathology outside of the rotator cuff.

The second part of the workshop will be used to discuss and demonstrate some of the tricks and techniques that can be used to improve the quality of the images produced when performing a thorough and complete examination of the rotator cuff tendons and the shoulder girdle.