This is especially important in the context of dislocations, where a history of recurrent dislocation may indicate the need for operative intervention. If previous radiographs are available, these should also be reviewed to provide a point of reference. However, for the purposes of this guide, we will also include the clavicle and the acromioclavicular joint in order to form a more complete “shoulder girdle X-ray” interpretation guide.īegin by confirming you have the correct patient and the correct radiograph by assessing the following:
In most clinical scenarios this refers to a radiograph of the glenohumeral joint. Shoulder X-rays are common investigations in every Emergency Department, typically in the context of trauma, with shoulder dislocations being the most common pathology.Īn important distinction to note is what we mean when we request a “shoulder X-ray”.
