Fractures Around the Shoulder: Radiologic Update on Surgical Fixation Techniques

Although radiologists are likely familiar with basic fracture patterns around the shoulder, certain fracture types in this area have particularly relevant and controversial clinical management issues. These include proximal humeral fractures, in which conservative management is favored but some patients receive surgical treatment; glenoid fractures and Hill-Sachs lesions, in which surgery may be performed depending on the amount of bone loss; and distal clavicular fractures, in which certain displaced fractures have high rates of nonunion, but there is no clearly favored surgical technique. Knowledge of the different clinical issues and surgical options can aid the radiologist in identifying key imaging findings and creating a useful report.