Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Diagnosing Shoulder Dislocations

Shoulder dislocations are often diagnosed with x-rays, which are typically repeated after reduction. However, postreduction films rarely add information after shoulder relocation. As point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly used for musculoskeletal diagnoses, researchers sought to examine its operating characteristics in shoulder dislocation. Sixty-five patients seen for suspected shoulder dislocation in two emergency departments were prospectively enrolled. One of six emergency physicians (who had at least some ultrasound fellowship training, received short video-based training in shoulder ultrasound, and were blinded to the x-ray findings) performed a structured shoulder ultrasound before and after shoulder reduction.

Overall, 49% …