The Hill-Sachs fracture results from anterior dislocation of the humeral head and is located on the posterolateral aspect of the humeral head. 97 % of shoulder dislocations are anterior in direction. This fracture is produced when the humeral head strikes the inferior margin of the glenoid. The dislocation may also cause a Bankart fracture at the impact site on the glenoid. Anterior dislocations are produced by complex forces acting on the humerus, including abduction and external rotation.

A	AP radiograph of the shoulder. The arrows indicate the defect on the posterolateral aspect, corresponding to a Hill-Sachs fracture.

Links to online textbooks:

• Wheeless' Orthopedics: discussion of Hill-Sachs fracture

Links to online cases:

• University of Washington
• American Family Physician
• University of Szegad

References:

• Workman TL, Burkhard TK, Resnick D, Goff WB 2d, Balsara ZN, Davis DJ, Lapoint JM: Hill-Sachs lesion: comparison of detection with MR imaging, radiography, and arthroscopy Radiology. 1992 Dec;185(3):847-52.           [See related articles]
• Beltran J, Rosenberg ZS, Chandnani VP, Cuomo F, Beltran S, Rokito A: Glenohumeral instability: evaluation with MR arthrography. Radiographics. 1997 May-Jun;17(3):657-73.           [See related articles]