Ultrasound for the diagnosis of shoulder dislocation and reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Skin, Soft Tissue, and Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

Point-of-care ultrasound may be used to assist in the diagnosis of skin, soft tissue, and musculoskeletal concerns in the emergency department. Frequently, linear or curvilinear probes are used to perform these studies and ultrasound may be used to assist in common emergency department procedures related to these conditions.

An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses for assessment and treatment of acute shoulder dislocation

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current evidence on accurate and rapid diagnostic methods, effective and safe shoulder dislocation reduction techniques, pharmacological treatment, and post-reduction care for acute anterior shoulder dislocation in the emergency department (ED).

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of the literature up to December 31, 2022, with an additional search conducted up to August 31, 2024. Databases searched included Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, DARE, PROSPERO, OpenGrey, and Google Scholar. We reviewed systematic reviews and meta-analyses on assessment and intervention for acute anterior shoulder dislocation. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. The quality of evidence was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the GRADE approach, while the methodology was assessed using AMSTAR 2.

RESULTS

From an initial 1345 records, 30 studies met the inclusion criteria. These included 4 articles on point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), 5 on analgesia and anesthesia, 3 on closed reduction techniques, 10 on surgical Bankart repair, 9 comparing external and internal rotation immobilization, and 1 on nerve injuries, including duplicates. POCUS demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy comparable to radiography for shoulder dislocations and associated fractures. Analgesia and anesthesia studies showed that intra-articular anesthesia (IAA) is as effective as intravenous sedation (IVS) with fewer adverse events and shorter ED stays. Three meta-analyses on closed reduction techniques revealed no significant differences in success rates among various methods, but the FARES method was noted for superior pain management. Ten reviews on surgical Bankart repair consistently showed reduced redislocation rates, especially in younger patients, compared to non-surgical treatments including internal and external rotation immobilization. Four recent reviews reported external rotation immobilization was more effective than internal rotation in preventing redislocations. Nerve injuries were common, with the axillary nerve most frequently affected.

CONCLUSIONS

Emergency physicians managing anterior shoulder dislocation should employ POCUS for diagnosis, prioritize intra-articular anesthesia, master various reduction techniques including the FARES method, refer patients to an orthopedic surgeon for follow-up and potential surgery to prevent redislocation, and be vigilant about nerve damage.

Woman With Shoulder Pain: Posterior Shoulder Dislocation Diagnosed With Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Posterior shoulder dislocations are relatively rare. When used by emergency medicine physicians, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) demonstrates higher sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing shoulder dislocation as compared to two-view plain films. A 49-year-old woman presented to the emergency department (ED) with left shoulder pain following a mechanical fall. Physical examination was remarkable for a gross shoulder deformity and tenderness over the left proximal humerus. POCUS of the left shoulder using a curvilinear probe and a posterior approach was performed and demonstrated posterior displacement of the humeral head relative to the glenoid. Anteroposterior and oblique shoulder X-rays were read as unremarkable by the radiologist; a computed tomography of the shoulder confirmed a posterior shoulder dislocation. Given its efficacy and efficiency as compared to X-ray radiography, POCUS should be strongly considered in the diagnosis and management of posterior shoulder dislocations in the ED setting.

Pragmatic use of ultrasound in plaster room

X-ray represent gold standard to check reduction of fractures and dislocations. Sometimes plaster room is not equipped with C-arm or similar devices. Practical and focused use of ultrasound in plaster room cannot replace X-ray but may be a useful tool especially in tricky situations. We report three emblematic cases and we carry out a review of the literature.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound-History, Current and Evolving Clinical Concepts in Emergency Medicine

Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) has become an indispensable standard in emergency medicine. Emergency medicine ultrasound (EMUS) is the application of bedside PoCUS by the attending emergency physician to assist in the diagnosis and management of many time-sensitive health emergencies. In many ways, using PoCUS is not only the mere application of technology, but also a fusion of already existing examiner skills and technology in the context of a patient encounter. EMUS practice can be defined using distinct anatomy-based applications. The type of applications and their complexity usually depend on local needs and resources, and practice patterns can vary significantly among regions, countries, or even continents. A different approach suggests defining EMUS in categories such as resuscitative, diagnostic, procedural guidance, symptom- or sign-based, and therapeutic. Because EMUS is practiced in a constantly evolving emergency medical setting where no two patient encounters are identical, the concept of EMUS should also be practiced in a fluid, constantly adapting manner driven by the physician treating the patient. Many recent advances in ultrasound technology have received little or no attention from the EMUS community, and several important technical advances and research findings have not been translated into routine clinical practice. The authors believe that four main areas have great potential for the future growth and development of EMUS and are worth integrating: 1. In recent years, many articles have been published on novel ultrasound applications. Only a small percentage has found its way into routine use. We will discuss two important examples: trauma ultrasound that goes beyond e-FAST and EMUS lung ultrasound for suspected pulmonary embolism. 2. The more ultrasound equipment becomes financially affordable; the more ultrasound should be incorporated into the physical examination. This merging and possibly even replacement of aspects of the classical physical exam by technology will likely outperform the isolated use of stethoscope, percussion, and auscultation. 3. The knowledge of pathophysiological processes in acute illness and ultrasound findings should be merged in clinical practice. The translation of this knowledge into practical concepts will allow us to better manage many presentations, such as hypotension or the dyspnea of unclear etiology. 4. Technical innovations such as elastography; CEUS; highly sensitive color Doppler such as M-flow, vector flow, or other novel technology; artificial intelligence; cloud-based POCUS functions; and augmented reality devices such as smart glasses should become standard in emergencies over time.

Austere Diagnosis and Reduction of Anterior Shoulder Dislocations: 10-Year Review of a Ski Patrol-Based Program with Emergency Medical Technicians

INTRODUCTION

Glenohumeral dislocations present a challenging management dilemma in austere settings where patient transport time may be prolonged. Expeditious reduction is preferable, but treatment is commonly expected to take place within a hospital or comparable facility. Through a novel shoulder injury program, professional ski patrollers trained as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) have diagnosed and reduced anterior shoulder dislocations using biomechanical techniques without sedation or analgesia for over 20 y. Summary records have been maintained to track the performance and safety of this program.

METHODS

Five hundred forty-six records of winter sports-related shoulder injuries from 2009-10 to 2019-20 were retrospectively analyzed to determine the assessment performance and dislocation reduction efficacy of EMTs, with the intent of ascertaining whether EMT-trained practitioners can reliably and safely diagnose and reduce anterior shoulder dislocations without premedication in a remote and resource-limited setting.

RESULTS

EMTs identified anterior shoulder dislocations with 98% sensitivity and 96% diagnostic accuracy. The overall success rate of reduction attempts was 86%, or 88% when limited to confirmed anterior dislocations. Two fracture-dislocations and 4 misdiagnoses were manipulated. No instances of iatrogenic harm were identified, and no patients who underwent successful reductions required ambulance transportation.

CONCLUSIONS

With appropriate education and within a structured program, EMT-trained practitioners can reliably and safely diagnose and reduce anterior shoulder dislocations using biomechanical techniques without premedication in remote and resource-limited environments. Implementation of similar programs in austere settings has the potential to improve patient care. Further, using biomechanical reduction techniques may reduce reliance on procedural sedation irrespective of care setting.