Subacromial subdeltoid bursa

Cause, clinical and ultrasound findings

• The onset of bursitis is mainly from overuse, but it can be associated with trauma.

• Clinically, it presents with pain on a mixture of both passive and resisted tests. A painful arc in abduction may or may not be present. Pain is felt local to the shoulder but can refer down the arm to the base of the thumb in severe cases.

• Ultrasound findings show thickening of the bursal walls and fluid or low-echo material within the bursa, depicting a bursitis.