(English) Episode 247-Pain-Free Shoulders Look Broken on MRI

This systematic review investigates how often structural abnormalities appear in shoulder imaging of adults who do not experience any pain. By analyzing data from 31 studies, researchers found that conditions like acromioclavicular osteoarthritis and subacromial bursa issues are remarkably common in asymptomatic individuals. In many cases, these physical changes occur at similar rates in people with and without symptoms, suggesting that imaging findings may not always be the cause of a patient's pain. The authors emphasize that clinical decisions should not be based on scans alone, as over-reliance on imaging can lead to unnecessary medical interventions. Ultimately, the report calls for a more cautious interpretation of MRI, X-ray, and ultrasound results in orthopaedic practice.Ibounig T, Rämö L, Haas R, Jones M, Järvinen TLN, Taimela S, et al. Imaging abnormalities of the acromioclavicular joint and subacromial space are common in asymptomatic shoulders: a systematic review. J Orthop Surg Res [Internet]. 2025;20(1):7. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05378-4