There has been a rapi
d increase in the number of shoul
der arthroplasties, inclu
ding partial or complete humeral hea
d resurfacing, hemiarthroplasty, total shoul
der arthroplasty, an
d reverse total shoul
der arthroplasty, performe
d in the Unite
d States over the
past two
deca
des. Imaging can play an important role in
diagnosing the complications that can occur in the setting of these shoul
der arthroplasties. This review is
divi
de
d into two parts. The first part provi
des a general
discussion of various imaging mo
dalities, comprising ra
diography, CT, MRI, ultrasoun
d, an
d nuclear me
dicine, an
d their role in provi
ding useful, treatment-gui
ding information. The secon
d part focuses on the most appropriate imaging algorithms for shoul
der arthroplasty complications such as aseptic loosening, infection, fracture, rotator cuff ten
don tear, an
d nerve injury.
d="abspara0015">The evidence-based ACR Appropriateness Criteria guidelines offered in this report were reached via an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer-reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) for rating the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. Further analysis and review of the guidelines were performed by a multidisciplinary expert panel. In those instances in which there was insufficient or equivocal data for recommending the appropriate imaging algorithm, expert opinion may have supplemented the available evidence.