Shoulder radiograph (summary approach)
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Citation:
Jones J, Hacking C, Qureshi P, Shoulder radiograph (summary approach). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 19 Feb 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-47570
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47570
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At the time the article was created Jeremy Jones had no recorded disclosures.
View Jeremy Jones's current disclosures
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At the time the article was last revised Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.
View Craig Hacking's current disclosures
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This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists
Shoulder radiographs are commonly performed for shoulder injury assessment and followup. Using a standard system to approach the x-ray means it is much more likely you will find the abnormality.
Summary approach
-
alignment
- glenohumeral joint - shoulder dislocation
- the humeral head is adjacent to the glenoid fossa on the AP
- the humeral head is over the glenoid on the Y-view
- coracoclavicular joint
- a line drawn along the undersurface of the clavicle and coracoid process is straight
- glenohumeral joint - shoulder dislocation
-
bones
- look for common fractures around the shoulder
- clavicle fracture
- proximal humeral fracture
- look for common fractures around the shoulder
-
cortex
- look for subtle fractures by tracing the cortex of all bones
- humeral head, neck and shaft
- clavicle
- coracoid process and glenoid
- scapula blade
- ribs
- look for subtle fractures by tracing the cortex of all bones
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