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Posterior Shoulder
November 2023
Author: Liana Meffert, MD
Peer Reviewer: R. Conner Dixon, MD, CAQ-SM
Final Reviewer: Justine Ko, MD, CAQ-SM
Peer Reviewer: R. Conner Dixon, MD, CAQ-SM
Final Reviewer: Justine Ko, MD, CAQ-SM
This image was captured by placing the transducer in the long axis, parallel to the scapular spine.
A 55 year old female presents after a fall at home. She is complaining of new shoulder pain and holding her arm in an abducted and externally rotated position. You grab your ultrasound for a quick, noninvasive (and sensitive!) evaluation and see the following:
Image 1: Author's own image
Image 2: Demonstration of the ultrasound technique/placement for this case. Author's own image. Note: A linear probe is used in this image, however a curvilinear probe is also commonly used.
What are the major structures in this posterior shoulder ultrasound?
You can see the displacement of the humeral head from the glenoid fossa. Also note the Hills Sachs deformity on the humeral head created by the force/impact during the dislocation.
- Pearl: In this view, an anterior shoulder dislocation is visualized when the humeral head appears to be below the scapular spine and glenoid fossa whereas the humeral head appears to be above the scapular spine/glenoid fossa in a posterior dislocation.
Image 1: Author's own image and annotations.