Imaging of shoulder instability

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• The glenohumeral joint is highly prone to instability, leading to frequent subluxations and dislocations.
• Shoulder instability can stem from acute or repetitive stress, or underlying conditions like joint capsule laxity or glenoid dysplasia.
• Clinical diagnosis of shoulder instability is challenging, necessitating advanced imaging interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical scenarios of shoulder instability.
• To correlate clinical presentations with appropriate imaging modalities and protocols.
• To detail the imaging findings of common pathologies associated with anterior, posterior, and multidirectional instability.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical presentations of shoulder instability.
• Discussion of various imaging modalities (e.g., MRI, CT, ultrasound) and their specific protocols.
• Analysis of imaging findings for soft tissue and osseous pathologies.

Main Results:

• Specific imaging techniques and positioning are essential for diagnosing shoulder instability.
• Imaging findings differ based on the type of instability (anterior, posterior, multidirectional, microinstability).
• Identification of common soft tissue (e.g., labral tears, rotator cuff pathology) and osseous lesions (e.g., fractures, bone loss) is critical.

Conclusions:

• Accurate diagnosis of shoulder instability relies on a thorough understanding of imaging findings.
• Appropriate imaging selection and interpretation guide effective treatment strategies.
• This review provides a framework for radiologists and clinicians managing shoulder instability.