Suggested Radiographs
Applying basic principles of radiography and fundamental knowledge of upper extremity orthopaedics, an outline of recommended radiographs for different clinical problems may be provided as follows.
Clinical Diagnosis |
Recommended Radiographs |
| Glenohumeral Joint Imaging | |
| Subacromial impingement, bursitis | Shoulder impingement series |
| Rotator cuff tendinitis, tear | Shoulder impingement series |
| Acute glenohumeral dislocation | Shoulder trauma series |
| Glenohumeral arthritis | Shoulder trauma series |
| Postop shoulder replacement | Shoulder trauma series |
| Proximal humerus fracture | Shoulder trauma series |
| Chronic glenohumeral subluxation | Shoulder instability series |
| Shoulder pain in throwing athlete | Shoulder instability series |
| Clavicle Imaging | |
| Mid-shaft clavicle fracture | Clavicle series |
| Clavicle nonunion | Clavicle series |
| Distal third clavicle fracture | ACJ AP view, axillary lateral |
| Acromioclavicular arthritis | ACJ AP view, axillary lateral |
| Acromioclavicular dislocation | ACJ AP view w/comparison view |
| Medial third clavicle fracture | Serendipity view |
| Sternoclavicular arthritis | Serendipity view |
| Sternoclavicular dislocation | Serendipity view |
| Elbow Imaging | |
| Lateral or medial epicondylitis | Elbow AP, lateral views |
| Elbow trauma, fractures | Elbow AP, lateral views |
| Radial head fracture | Elbow AP, lateral, radial head views |
| Elbow arthritis | Elbow AP, lateral views |
| Distal biceps rupture | Elbow AP, lateral views |
| Elbow pain in throwing athlete | Elbow AP, lateral views |
We hope that this review of upper extremity musculoskeletal imaging has been useful. Please direct comments or questions about this review to me at the office 316-631-1600. Comments only (no questions please) may be emailed to my office by clicking on the link on the bottom of this page.
References
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3. Duralde XA, Gauntt SJ. Troubleshooting the supraspinatus outlet view. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 8(4): 314-319, 1999.
4. Friedman RJ, Hawthorne KB, Genez BM. The use of computerized tomography in the measurement of glenoid version. J Bone Joint Surg, 74(A): 1032-1037, 1992.
5. Giuffre BM and Moss MJ. Optimal Positioning for MRI of the Distal Biceps Brachii Tendon: Flexed Abducted Supinated View. Am J Roentgenology, 182: 944-946, 2004.
6. Howson MP and Kerrigan CL. Handy Views: Radiographic Positioning of the Hand and Wrist. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven, 1998.
7. Ono K, Yamamuro T, Rockwood CA Jr. Use of a thirty-degree caudal tilt radiograph in the shoulder impingement syndrome. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 1(5): 246-252, 1992.
8. Rockwood CA Jr and Jensen KL. X-Ray Evaluation of Shoulder Problems (Ch. 5) in The Shoulder, 2nd edition, Rockwood and Matsen (eds). Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co., 1998.
9. Yin Y, Mann FA, Gilula LA. Positions and Techniques (Ch. 5) in Imaging of the Wrist and Hand, Gilula and Yin (eds). Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co., 1996.
10. Zlatkin MB (ed). MRI of the Shoulder, 2nd edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2003.