Improving the Assessment of Shoulder Joint Dislocation Through Additional Diagnostic Examinations

Abstract

The shoulder (glenohumeral) joint is the most mobile joint in the human body and, consequently, the most susceptible to traumatic dislocation, accounting for approximately 45% of all major joint dislocations. More than 95% of shoulder dislocations are anterior and are frequently associated with Bankart (labral) and Hill–Sachs (humeral head) lesions. Although conventional radiography is sufficient for confirming dislocation and evaluating bony structures, it has significant limitations in detecting soft tissue injuries involving the labrum, rotator cuff, and capsuloligamentous complex. This article evaluates the diagnostic performance of additional imaging modalities used in the assessment of shoulder dislocation, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA), computed tomography (CT) with three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction, computed tomography arthrography (CTA), and ultrasonography (US). The analysis demonstrated that CT remains the gold standard for assessing glenoid bone loss and Hill–Sachs defects, whereas MRI/MRA provides superior visualization of soft tissue injuries. The combined application of these imaging techniques significantly improves diagnostic accuracy and facilitates appropriate selection of conservative or surgical treatment strategies.