Prior to shoulder arthroplasties, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to establish the condition of the surrounding soft tissue structures. Up to date MSK ultrasound has only been considered as an additional examination tool in the preoperative assessment, mainly because previous studies have shown non-satisfying results especially in patients with chronic and degenerative changes. However, MSK ultrasound has many advantages compared to MRI: it is inexpensive, quick, easily available and applicable.