This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists
Shoulder dislocation is defined as the humeral head moving out of the glenoid fossa. It is almost always traumatic in etiology.
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Reference article
This is a summary article. For more information, you can read a more in-depth reference article: shoulder dislocation.
Summary
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anatomy
glenohumeral joint anatomy
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epidemiology
most commonly dislocated joint
bimodal age and sex distribution
male:female 9:1 in younger population (20-30 years)
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presentation
shoulder pain
reduced range of motion
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pathophysiology
almost always traumatic
95% of dislocations are anterior
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investigation
x-ray for diagnosis and follow-up
CT for assessment of associated complex fractures
MRI (not acute) in shoulder instability or labrum injury
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treatment
prompt reduction with anesthesia
Radiographic features
Plain radiograph
Frontal and Y-views are performed for the assessment of shoulder injury and shoulder dislocation.
The vast majority of shoulder dislocations are anterior. The humeral head overlies the glenoid and moves medially. On the Y-view, the humeral head is clearly demonstrated anterior to the glenoid fossa.
Look carefully for evidence of other injuries, e.g. fractures of the humeral head or neck, or the clavicle.
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