# Straight answers about sore joints and scans *Questions Answered | Sports Medicine Glendale* > Sports medicine Glendale answers about MRI, shoulder soreness, ankle warning signs and nearby care. This page gives straight answers about joint soreness. You'll learn when a scan helps and when care can't wait. The answers don't replace your own exam. ## Sources 1. This review of imaging in tendinopathy makes the central point that there is NO direct link between tendon structural disorganisation on ultrasound or MRI and clinical symptoms, so imaging findings can create a confusing clinical picture rather than clarify it. It also examines whether imaging predicts onset of pain or clinical outcome, and whether tendon structure has to improve for the patient to get better. Docking SI, et al. — [Tendinopathy: Is Imaging Telling Us the Entire Story?](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26390270/). *J Orthop Sports Phys Ther*, 2015. DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2015.5880. 2. Fifty-one people aged 40-70 with NO shoulder symptoms in either shoulder had one shoulder scanned by ultrasound. Abnormalities were found in 96% of them: subacromial-subdeltoid bursal thickening in 78%, acromioclavicular osteoarthritis in 65%, supraspinatus tendinosis in 39%, subscapularis tendinosis in 25% and a partial-thickness bursal-side supraspinatus tear in 22%. Girish G, et al. — [Ultrasound of the shoulder: asymptomatic findings in men.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21940544/). *AJR Am J Roentgenol*, 2011. DOI: 10.2214/AJR.11.6971. 3. A meta-analysis of 63 studies covering 5,397 knees of asymptomatic, uninjured adults found cartilage defects in 24% overall and meniscal tears in 10%, rising sharply with age: cartilage defects in 11% of adults under 40 and 43% of those 40 and over; meniscal tears in 4% under 40 and 19% at 40 and over. Bone marrow lesions were present in 18% and osteophytes in 25%. Culvenor AG, et al. — [Prevalence of knee osteoarthritis features on magnetic resonance imaging in asymptomatic uninjured adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29886437/). *Br J Sports Med*, 2019. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2018-099257. 4. The Munich consensus statement on muscle injuries was written because a survey of 30 English-speaking team doctors and scientists confirmed marked inconsistency in terminology - most obviously for the word 'strain'. It defines four types: functional muscle disorders (type 1 overexertion-related, type 2 neuromuscular) with no macroscopic fibre tear, and structural muscle injuries (type 3 partial tears, type 4 subtotal or total tears and tendinous avulsions). Mueller-Wohlfahrt HW, et al. — [Terminology and classification of muscle injuries in sport: the Munich consensus statement.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23080315/). *Br J Sports Med*, 2013. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2012-091448. 5. The updated evidence-based ankle sprain guideline states that ligament damage severity is assessed most reliably by DELAYED physical examination 4-5 days after the injury; that after a short period of immobilisation the patient benefits most from tape or a brace combined with an exercise programme; that NSAIDs may reduce pain and swelling but are not without complications and MAY SUPPRESS THE NATURAL HEALING PROCESS; that supervised exercise-based programmes are preferred over passive modalities; that surgery should be reserved for cases not responding to comprehensive exercise-based treatment; and that ankle braces are efficacious for preventing recurrence. Vuurberg G, et al. — [Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ankle sprains: update of an evidence-based clinical guideline.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29514819/). *Br J Sports Med*, 2018. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-098106. 6. The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine's position statement on regenerative medicine exists precisely because the field has 'produced widely varying opinions' and because regulators, clinicians, scientists, patient advocacy organisations and the media have raised concern about how these products are used. It sets out terminology, the basic science and clinical evidence for orthobiologics, regulatory considerations, and best practices for introducing them responsibly - describing the evidence as growing that CERTAIN products are safe and potentially efficacious, not as settled. Finnoff JT, et al. — [American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Position Statement: Principles for the Responsible Use of Regenerative Medicine in Sports Medicine.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34704973/). *Clin J Sport Med*, 2021. DOI: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000973. ## What signs make an ankle sprain more urgent? Get quick care if the ankle looks bent. Don't wait if your foot feels numb, cold, or pale. Fast swelling or being unable to stand on that foot also needs an exam. Fever with a hot joint needs prompt care. If the ankle looks straight and holds you, a doctor may check it again after swelling eases. ## Is it a rotator cuff tear or tendonitis? Tendonitis is the common name for a sore tendon that isn't working well. You can't tell it from a tear by soreness alone. A fall with sudden weakness raises concern for a tear. Repeated reaching may bring tendon soreness on slowly. Your doctor will test strength and motion. An MRI or ultrasound may help if the result changes care. ## Do I need an MRI for a sports injury? You may not need one right away. An exam often guides the first care. MRI can help when a major tendon or hidden bone injury remains unclear. It may also help before surgery. Ask what choice the MRI result would change. ## What does a sports medicine doctor do? The doctor asks how your soreness started. You'll have your motion, strength, and balance checked. The doctor may review old scans. New tests only make sense when they'll guide care. The visit can also cover safe goals for work, walking, or recreation. ## Why do studies of platelet-rich plasma, a blood-based treatment, disagree? Staff take blood and use a machine to gather more platelets in less liquid. Doctors call that liquid platelet-rich plasma. Clinics don't always prepare it the same way. Studies also examine different sore body parts and compare different care. One result can't show what will happen in every joint or tendon. ## Are sports medicine clinics available near Glendale, Arizona? Glendale has hospitals and offices where you go home after the visit. The listed Peoria clinic is nearest overall for this site. Banner Estrella may be easier from south Glendale. Your symptoms decide whether a routine office visit fits. Emergency signs need urgent or emergency care. ## Do I need a referral for sports medicine care in Arizona? That depends on the clinic and your insurance. Some offices may book you directly. Your plan may require a referral before it pays for care or scans. Check the clinic's rules first. Then call the number on your insurance card. ## Bring the facts your exam needs Bring your scan report if you have one. Write down when it started and which movements worsen it. Include swelling, weakness, or lost motion. Your answers will help focus the visit. Call (602) 837-PAIN for current scheduling details. Peoria is the nearest listed office for most Glendale residents. Banner Estrella may be easier from the southern side. Schedule a free consultation: --- Clear answers for a sore joint. Sports medicine Glendale offers clear help for joint aches, home care, urgent symptoms, scans and nearby care. Clear help for connecting joint soreness with the exam and scan findings. Sports Medicine Glendale is operated by the owners of the QC Kinetix Phoenix-area clinics, whose business may benefit when a reader schedules with their team. © 2026 Glendale Sports Scan. General education only; an in-person clinician should assess your injury and urgent symptoms need prompt care.