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Imaging findings in posterior instability of the shoulder

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Abstract

Posterior shoulder instability refers to the symptoms and signs resulting from excessive posterior translation of the humerus. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the radiological modality of choice in the diagnostic assessment of posterior instability. Computed tomography (CT) is useful in the evaluation of osseous abnormalities associated with posterior instability. A detailed description of the posterior osseous and labroligamentous abnormalities has evolved recently, and many variant lesions of the posteroinferior labrum and/or capsular structures have been described. As the recommended surgical management of lesions associated with posterior instability is a lesion-specific approach, awareness of the specific lesions that have been described in association with posterior instability helps in pre-surgical planning. The purpose of this article is to review the classification of, and injury mechanisms leading to, posterior shoulder instability and to describe imaging findings associated with posterior instability, with emphasis on MR imaging.

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Acknowledgments

We extend special thanks to Glen Oomen for preparation of the illustrations. We wish to thank Joanna Andrews and David Wormald for the small financial contribution from the Dept. of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Joseph’s Healthcare towards preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, L8N 4A6, Canada

    Srinivasan Harish, Arpit Nagar, Ryan Rebello & John O’Neill

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Jaydeep Moro

  3. Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

    Srinivasan Harish, Jaydeep Moro, Ryan Rebello & John O’Neill

  4. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Brantford General Hospital, Brantford, ON, Canada

    David Pugh

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  1. Srinivasan Harish
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Correspondence to Srinivasan Harish.

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Harish, S., Nagar, A., Moro, J. et al. Imaging findings in posterior instability of the shoulder. Skeletal Radiol 37, 693–707 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-008-0487-7

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