Objective: The aim of this study is to know the usefulness of ultrasonographic evaluation of hemiplegic shoulder pain.

Method: For 20 hemiplegic patients with shoulder pain, the shoulder was evaluated by simple radiographic findings, physical examinations, visual analogue scale (VAS), manual muscle test (MMT), and finally the ultrasonographic examination to define shoulder pain nature. The ultrasonographic results were compared to the simple radiography, physical examination, VAS, and MMT.

Results: The ultrasonographic findings were variable. The positive ultrasonographic findings were 10 joint fluid collections, 3 tendinous thickenings, 4 high echogenic findings, 4 tendon surface defects, 2 tendinous gracilings, and 1 joint surface irregularity. The ultrasonographic interpretative conclusion included 6 tendon (or muscle) tears, 2 degenerative changes, 5 nonspecific simple joint fluid collections, and 7 normal shoulder joints. In comparison of ultrasonographic findings and subluxation, VAS, and fluid collection, VAS showed relatively higher correlation.

Conclusion: The ultrasonography is very useful as a non-invasive, inexpensive, painless, and rapid screening diagnostic method for the evaluation of painful hemiplegic shoulder.