Cineradiographic studies with shoulder instabilities.

Thirty patients with shoulder disorders were examined with fluoroscopy under general anesthesia. Prior to this cineradiography, 20 shoulders had diagnoses of instability and 10 had diagnoses of other stable-shoulder disorders. Three patients (10%) had changes in their shoulder diagnoses after imaging: 1) One patient with an impingement syndrome also had an unstable shoulder; 2) One patient suspected of having anterior subluxations prior to imaging, demonstrated posterior subluxations instead with imaging; and 3) One patient with recurrent posterior dislocations demonstrated a multidirectional instability pattern with imaging. Fluoroscopic examination or the shoulder under anesthesia provides useful diagnostic information. Its use is recommended for documentation, especially when there is uncertainty about a diagnosis, or to confirm the proper placement of metal after reconstructive surgery.