Painful and painless shoulder Magnetic Resonance Imaging comparisons in hemodialysis patients and correlation with clinical findings

Abstract Shoulder pain is frequently observed in haemodialysis patients. To compare haemodialysis patients with or without shoulder pain in terms of shoulder motion ranges, β2 microglobulin levels and magnetic resonance imaging findings. Forty-three patients undergoing dialysis were enrolled, of which 23 patients had explicit shoulder pain at night, which appeared during dialysis. Range of joint motion and impingement tests were evaluated. β 2 microglobulin value was recorded. MRI was used to evaluate rotator cuff tendons for thickness, homogeneity, integrity and presence of effusion. Ranges of motion were significantly lower in the painful shoulder group. Supraspinatus tendon thickness and the number of areas with effusion were higher in the painful group. There was a positive correlation between the β 2 microglobulin level and supraspinatus (r:0.352 p