Hill Sachs Lesion

Definition/Description[edit | edit source]

A Hill-Sachs lesion is a compression fracture or "dent" of the posterosuperolateral humeral head that occurs in association with anterior instability or dislocation of the glenohumeral joint.[1][2] It was first described by two radiologists by the name HA Hill and MD Sachs in 1940.[2] This lesion is caused by an anterior shoulder dislocation which causes a humeral head impression fracture. The posterolateral aspect of the humeral head impacts on the anterior glenoid in the dislocated position, causing instability at the glenohumeral joint.[3][4][5]

Clinically relevant anatomy[edit | edit source]

The glenohumeral joint is a synovial ball-and-socket diarthroidal joint. It is the articulation between the glenoid of the scapula and the head of the humerus. It is commonly known that the shoulder joint has a loose capsule, making it the most commonly dislocated joint in the human body, of which 90% of these dislocations are anterior. This is a result of the scapular orientation of about 30° anterior to the frontal plane of the body. The humerus is thus anteriorly orientated to the glenoid in the glenohumeral joint.[5][6][7]

This is a brief overview of the relevant anatomy. See the page for the glenohumeral joint for detailed information.

Glenohumeral joint.png

Bones[edit | edit source]

The glenoid of the scapula articulates with the humeral head to form a ball-and-socket joint.[6]

Labrum[edit | edit source]

The labrum, a fibrocartilaginous structure, surrounds the glenoid to ensure that there is enough contact between the surface of the glenoid and the humeral head. There is a concavity compression mechanism which plays an important role in the stability of the shoulder. The less contact there is, the higher the risk for dislocations.[8] 

Ligaments[edit | edit source]

  • Glenohumeral ligaments (pars superior, media and inferior): Assists in strengthening of the capsule[3]
  • Coracohumeral ligament: Assists in strengthening of the capsule[3] 
  • Transversal humeral ligament: Functions with the Biceps Brachii muscle[6]

Muscles[edit | edit source]

[6]

Arm shoulder gray.png

Bursae[edit | edit source]

There are eight bursae in the shoulder complex as a result of the high amount of muscles surrounding the shoulder. They ensure a smooth contact between the muscle and the underlying structures. The subacromial bursa is the biggest in the body.[5]

1. Subacromial-subdeltoid bursa; 2. Subscapular recess; 3. Subcoracoid bursa; 4. Coracoclavicular bursa; 5. Supra-acromial bursa; 6. Medial extension of subacromial-subdeltoid bursa.

Epidemiology/Etiology[edit | edit source]

Epidemiology[edit | edit source]

The incidence of Hill-Sachs lesions are approximately 40%-90% of all anterior shoulder instability cases, and even as high as 100% in patients with recurrent anterior instability.[1] A study looking at this found Hill-Sachs lesions in 65% of acute dislocations and 93% in patients with recurrent instability.[9]
A Hill-Sachs lesion occurs in about 50% of the first-time shoulder dislocations. For people with a shoulder dislocations history (i.e. shoulder instability) humeral head compression fractures are present in most cases.[10][11] 

Etiology[edit | edit source]

  • Anterior glenoid bone loss (in cases of recurrent instability)[15]

Characteristics/Clinical presentation[edit | edit source]

Classification[edit | edit source]

Classification systems are used to describe the amount of damage to the anterior capsule and the labrum, reflected by the depth of the lesion. Higher grade lesions are associated with increased risk of recurrent dislocation.[1][2][12]

  • Grade 1: Defect in the articular surface down to (but not including) the subchondral bone
  • Grade 2: Lesion includes the subchondral bone
  • Grade 3: Lesion causes large defect in the subchondral bone.

Further classification can be done by looking at the percentage of the defect of humeral head involvement in the compression fracture.[16] The size of the lesion correlates in most cases to the number of previous dislocations.[11] 

  • Minor: <20%
  • Moderate: 20%-45%
  • Severe: >45%

Clinical presentation[edit | edit source]

Shoulder dislocation rarely occur isolated. It causes damage to different tissues surrounding the glenohumeral joint, such as ligaments, rotator cuff tendons, joint capsule as well as the bone and cartilage of the humeral head. This occurs when the round humeral head is forcibly impacted on the edge of the glenoid, which causes compression fractures in the humeral head. This forms a dimple structure on the articular surface of the humerus - a Hill-Sachs lesion.[17][18][10] This is always caused by dislocation, not only sublaxation.[17]

According to the page on shoulder dislocations, the following indicates an acute anterior glenohumeral dislocation:

  • Arm held in abduction and external rotation
  • Loss of normal contour of the deltoid and acromion prominent posteriorly and laterally
  • Humeral head palpable anteriorly
  • All movements limited and painful
  • Coracoid process: Palpable fullness and positioned towards the axilla

Differential diagnosis[edit | edit source]

  • Bankart lesion:
    • Also as a result of shoulder dislocation, and often goes together[10][18]
  • Pseudo-Hill-Sachs lesion:
    • It is normal that below the level of the coracoid, the humeral head normally flattens out, and should not be mistaken as a Hill-Sachs lesion[18]
  • Humeral avulsion fractures[11]
  • Mid capsular tears[11]
  • Floating anterior capsule[11]
  • Reverse Hill-Sachs lesion:
    • Lesion on the anterior-superior aspect of the humeral head as the result of a posterior shoulder dislocation[10][11][18]

Diagnostic Procedures[edit | edit source]

Physical examination[edit | edit source]

  • Jobe relocation test:
    • Positive test: Apprehension
    • Crepitus and catching may be felt during active and passive abduction and external rotation[3]
    • Possible lesion indicated by audible/palpable clunk in active/passive abduction and external rotation or an unstable feeling during mid-range

Special investigations[edit | edit source]

  • X-ray:[3][19]
    • Grashey view (AP) in internal and external rotation; transcapular view (X-ray beam caudally from standard AP view); axillary views with exaggerated external rotation and West Pont views (if pain allows)
    • Important first step at effectively evaluating the glenohumeral relationship as well as osseous pathology of the humerus and the glenoid
    • Can detect bony lesions related to shoulder instability in the acute phase
    • Difficult to see Hill-Sachs lesion
  • Ultrasound:[19][20]
    • Detect and localize a compression fracture
    • Cost-effective, minimal exposure to excessive radiation, comfortable for patient
    • Hill-Sachs lesions: Apparent triangular depression in the contour of the humerus[4] 
  • CT scan: Reliably asses the location and depth of the humeral lesion[21]
  • MRI: Detect pathology of the soft tissue; determine the amount of humeral and glenoid bone loss[21][22]
Hill sachs MRI.jpg

[10][17][18] 

Outcome Measures[edit | edit source]

Medical management[edit | edit source]

Several studies have shown that when the number of dislocations increases, the incidence and size of Hill-Sachs lesion also increases. It can be a cause of instability and in this case, surgical treatment is considered. Frequently, authors consider that surgical treatment of recurrent shoulder dislocation is indicated when someone had more than five shoulder dislocations.[16][23] With minimum glenoid bone loss and without significant involvement of the humeral head (<20%), surgical management is not indicated[24]. This instability can be managed conservatively in a mastersling for immobilization for 2-6 weeks, before starting with rehabilitation (see "Physiotherapy management" later on).[16][24]

Management of humeral bone loss (as in Hill-Sachs lesion) can be directed at the restoration of the glenohumeral articular arc with either glenoid-based bone augmentation techniques (most commonly used), humeral-based strategies, or a combination. These strategies include open as well as arthroscopic procedures, depending on the extent of the pathology.[3] . Treating the glenoid defects is often the solution to the glenohumeral instability. CT scans make it possible to reliably asses the location and depth of the humeral lesion. Based on the this, a surgical decision is made.[20]

Surgical mangement[edit | edit source]

Arthroscopic technique[edit | edit source]

  • Remplissage procedure: Defect is filled with soft tissue, usually from the infraspinatus tendon
  • Second arthroplasty method: Percutaneous humeroplasty
    • Lesion is filled by using a bone tamp brought into a drilled osseus window 180° from the lesion
    • Advantage: Rotational osteotomy of the humeral head is not needed and the humeral head can be restored without transpositioning the soft tissue
    • Limitations: Limited to moderate-sized defects; lack of management of osteochondral defects
  • Other procedures: Techniques that use various small bone plugs

[3]

Open technique[edit | edit source]

  • Laterjet procedure: Most frequently done[3][25][26]
    • Most commonly, bone from the coracoid process is used as an augment to the antero-inferior glenoid bone loss. By reforming the concavity and width of the glenoid, a Hill-Sachs lesion does not influence the anterior glenoid rim of unstable shoulders.
    • Successful in preventing instability over time
    • Negative consequences associated with the Laterjet are shoulder arthrosis and loss of function
  • Autologous bone plugs
  • Size-matched osteo-articular allografts
  • Rotational humeral osteotomy:
    • Osteotomy of the surgical neck to rotate the humeral head for 25°
    • Currently not method of choice, given the related risks and the success rates of more recent procedures.
  • The osseus humeral allograft bone plug technique:
    • A size-matched humeral bone plug of a donor is used
    • Approach: Delto-pectoral or deltoid-splitting
    • Advantages: Minimal exposure; humeral head remains in the capsule.
    • Disadvantage: Limited to small and moderate lesions; risks of using cadaveric tissue

[3]

Physiotherapy management[edit | edit source]

Aim: Prevent reoccurrence of dislocations

The non-operative rehabilitation of the unstable shoulder consists about seven key factors. It is important to consider this in the rehabilitation program of the shoulder after a Hill-Sachs lesion.[27]

  • The onset of pathology
  • The degree of instability
  • The frequency of dislocation
  • The direction of instability
  • Concomitant pathologies
  • Neuromuscular control
  • Activity level

Physiotherapy interventions include:

  • 2-6 weeks of immobilization in a mastersling:
    • Scapula stabilization exercises
    • Hand, wrist and elbow exercises
    • Teach patient on functional adaptions (e.g. personal hygiene, dressing and undressing)
    • No driving while still in sling
  • When use of sling is discontinued (on recommendation of orthopaedic surgeon):
    • Pendulum exercises
    • Passive, active-assisted and active range of motion exercises (progressions)
    • Abduction and external rotation is restricted during the initial phase of the rehabilitation
      • Ligaments healing needs to take place to prevent dislocation
    • Strengthening of the deltoid, rotator cuff and periscapular (e.g. pectoralis major) muscles

[24]

Post-surgical rehabilitation should be guided by the orthopaedic surgeon, and depends on the procedure that was done.

Resources[edit | edit source]

Clinical bottom line[edit | edit source]

A Hill-Sachs lesion is an injury that occurs secondary to an anterior shoulder dislocation. The humeral head ‘collides’ with the anterior part of the glenoid, causing a lesion, bone loss, defect and deformity of the humeral head. This may cause a change loss of range of motion, feelings of instability and pain. A grading system is used based on the amount of bone loss or severity of the humeral head deformity. The incidence of Hill-Sachs lesion in patients with anterior shoulder instability can be as high as 100%.[1][12] Another pathology secondary to an anterior shoulder dislocation is a Bnkart lesion. This is an injury of the anterior glenoid labrum of the shoulder and often often accompanied by a Hill-Sachs lesion.[14]

Conservative treatment is only recommended in cases of small bony defects (<20% Hill-Sachs lesion), in other cases (larger and more significant lesions), surgical treatment is needed. The conservative treatment should be based on strengthening the deltoid, the rotator cuff muscles and scapular stabilizers.[1][24]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Provencher MT, Frank RM, LeClere LE, Metzger PD, Ryu JJ, Bernhardson A, Romeo AA. The Hill-Sachs lesion: diagnosis, classification, and management. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2012;20(4):242-52.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Shoulder Doc. Hill-Sachs Lesion. https://www.shoulderdoc.co.uk/article/1470 (accessed 26/08/2018).
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Provencher M, Rose M, Peace W. Hill-Sachs Injuries of the Shoulder: When are these important and how should I manage them? In: Abrams JS editor. Management of the unstable shoulder: arthroscopic and open repair. Slack Incorporated, 2011.p.235-252.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Castro WHM, Jerosch J, Grossman TV. Examination and diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders. Georg Thieme Verlag: Germany, 2001.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Dodson CC, Cordasco FA. Anterior glenohumeral joint dislocations. Orthopedic Clinics of North America 2008;39(4):507-18.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Gray’s Anatomy, Anatomy of the human body. 11th edition, 1918.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Bushnell B, Creighton R, Herring M. The bony apprehension test for instability of the shoulder: a prospective pilot analysis. Arthroscopy 2008:24(9):974-82.
  8. Dutton, M. Orthopaedic: Examination, evaluation, and intervention (2nd ed.). New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2008.
  9. Yiannakopoulos CK, Mataragas E, Antonogiannakis E. A comparison of the spectrum of intra-articular lesions in acute and chronic anterior shoulder instability. Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery 2007;23(9):985-90.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Wiki Radiography. Hill-Sachs and Bankart lesion, http://www.wikiradiography.net/page/Hill-Sachs+and+Bankart+Lesions (accessed 27/08/2018).
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Savoie F, O’Brien M. Management of Hill-Sachs Lesion, International Congress for Joint Reconstruction, 2014.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 Calandra JJ, Baker CL, Uribe J. The incidence of Hill-Sachs lesions in initial anterior shoulder dislocations. Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery 1989;5(4):254-7.
  13. Horst K, Von Harten R, Weber C, Andruszkow H, Pfeifer R, Dienstknecht T, Pape HC. Assessment of coincidence and defect sizes in Bankart and Hill–Sachs lesions after anterior shoulder dislocation: a radiological study. The British journal of radiology 2014;87(1034):20130673.
  14. 14.0 14.1 Widjaja AB, Tran A, Bailey M, Proper S. Correlation between Bankart and Hill‐Sachs lesions in anterior shoulder dislocation. ANZ journal of surgery 2006;76(6):436-8.
  15. Kim DS, Yoon YS, Yi CH. Prevalence comparison of accompanying lesions between primary and recurrent anterior dislocation in the shoulder. The American journal of sports medicine 2010;38(10):2071-6.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 Cetik O, Uslu M, Ozsar BK. The relationship between Hill-Sachs lesion and recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation. Acta orthopaedica belgica 2007;73(2):175-8.
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 Cluett J. Hill-Sachs Injury: Damage to the shoulder joint as result of dislocation. Orthopedics, 2013.
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 Radiopedia. Hill-Sachs lesion. https://radiopaedia.org/articles/hill-sachs-lesion (accessed 27/08/2018).
  19. 19.0 19.1 Omoumi P, Teixeira P, Lecouvet F, Chung CB. Glenohumeral joint instability. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging 2011;33(1):2-16.
  20. 20.0 20.1 Kodali P, Jones MH, Polster J, Miniaci A, Fening SD. Accuracy of measurement of Hill-Sachs lesions with computed tomography. Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery 2011;20(8):1328-34.
  21. 21.0 21.1 Pancione L, Gatti G, Mecozzi B. Diagnosis of Hill-Sachs lesion of the shoulder: comparison between ultrasonography and arthro-CT. Acta Radiologica 1997;38(4):523-6.
  22. Pavic R, Margetic P, Bensic M, Brnadic RL. Diagnostic value of US, MR and MR arthrography in shoulder instability. Injury 2013;44:S26-32.
  23. Cutts S, Prempeh M, Drew S. Anterior shoulder dislocation. The Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England 2009;91(1):2-7.
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 Chen AL, Bosco III JA. Glenohumeral bone loss and anterior instability. Bulletin of the NYU hospital for joint diseases 2006 Dec 22;64(3-4):130.
  25. Schroder DT, Provencher MT, Mologne TS, Muldoon MP, Cox JS. The modified Bristow procedure for anterior shoulder instability: 26-year outcomes in Naval Academy midshipmen. The American journal of sports medicine 2006;34(5):778-86.
  26. Hovelius L, Sandström B, Sundgren K, Saebö M. One hundred eighteen Bristow-Latarjet repairs for recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder prospectively followed for fifteen years: study I—clinical results. Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery 2004;13(5):509-16.
  27. Wilk KE, Macrina LC, Reinold MM. Non-operative rehabilitation for traumatic and atraumatic glenohumeral instability. North American journal of sports physical therapy 2006;1(1):16.