Joint Conditions
Check out these examples of joint X-Rays. Have a read of the first example where we go through how to present this plain film.
Practice with the remaining examples and click on the box to reveal the diagnosis.
Example 1
Take a look at the following example. Let us go through how we would systematically analyse this and the diagnosis.
Analysis and Diagnosis
D – This is a … X-Ray taken on ….., of the following patient….. Is there a previous X-ray to compare to
R – Commenting first on the quality, it is not rotated, there is adequate field of view, the projection is AP and lateral and it is adequately exposed as I can see the bones clearly
“On initial inspection, there appears to be a dislocation of the humeral head, but I will proceed to go through it systematically.”
B – Looking at the bones first, There are no other fractures. The humeral head is dislocated anteriorly and inferiorly with the anteroinferior margin of the glenoid, with some flattening of the corresponding part of the humerus.
D – There are no degenerative changes in the joint spaces
E – There are no other man-made objects or signs of orthopaedic surgery.
In summary, this film shows a dislocation of the humeral head. This is suggestive of a Anterior shoulder dislocation
Diagnosis
Anterior Shoulder Dislocation
Example 2
Diagnosis
Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation
Example 3
Diagnosis
Osteoarthritis of the Hip (right)
Example 4
Diagnosis
Rheumatoid Arthritis of the hands
Example 5
Diagnosis
Total knee replacement
Check out the following pages to see more examples of fractures and dislocations and how you would systematically analyse the X-Rays.
Sources
Image 1: Jones, J. Anterior shoulder dislocation. Case study, Radiopaedia.org. https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-7132
Image 2: Gaillard, F., Knipe, H. Acromioclavicular joint injury. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-843
Image 3: Feger, J., Niknejad, M. Osteoarthritis of the hip. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-81200
Image 4: Stanislavsky, A., Yap, J. Rheumatoid arthritis (musculoskeletal manifestations). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org.https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-12370
Image 5: Stanislavsky, A., Yap, J. Rheumatoid arthritis (musculoskeletal manifestations). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-12370
Disclaimer
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