A 28-year-old cricketer sustains a posterior dislocation of the shoulder while bowling. Clinically, the arm is held in internal rotation and adduction; the anterior shoulder appears flat. Which radiographic view BEST demonstrates the posterior dislocation that may be missed on standard AP view?

• A Stryker notch view
• B Axillary lateral view ✓
• C West Point view
• D Zanca view

Explanation

Posterior shoulder dislocation is the classic 'missed' injury on AP X-ray because the humeral head remains in the glenoid's posterior half and the AP view may only show a 'light bulb' sign. The axillary lateral (true lateral) view directly visualises the glenohumeral relationship and confirms posterior displacement. The Stryker notch view demonstrates Hill-Sachs lesions; the West Point view shows the anterior glenoid; the Zanca view is for the acromioclavicular joint.

Reference: Maheshwari Essential Orthopaedics, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.