Hill-Sachs lesion


Hill-Sachs defect

an irregularity seen in the head of the humerus following anterior dislocation of the shoulder; caused by impaction of posterolateral portion of the head of the humerus against the anterior edge of the glenoid. Synonym(s): Hill-Sachs lesion

Hill-Sachs le·sion

(hil saks lē'zhŭn) An articular cartilage defect on the posterior aspect of the humeral head, often caused by injury to the humeral head by the rim of the glenoid fossa after anterior glenohumeral dislocation.

Hill-Sachs lesion

(hil′saks′) [Harold A. Hill, U.S. radiologist, b. 1901; Maurice Sachs, U.S. radiologist, b. 1909] An osteochondral fracture of the posterolateral humeral head that occurs following an anterior dislocation of the glenohumeral joint. The lesion involves the cartilage of the humeral head, causing instability that may predispose the individual to subsequent anterior glenohumeral dislocations.

Etiology

A Hill-Sachs lesion occurs in about 40% of all first-time anterior dislocations and up to 80% of recurrent dislocations. The relative size of the lesion, as determined through an arthroscope or diagnostic imaging, can be used to ascertain the relative magnitude of the original dislocation.

Symptoms

Although many Hill-Sachs lesions are asymptomatic, pain may arise from the posterolateral humeral head when the glenohumeral joint is abducted to 90°, and passive external rotation is applied.

Treatment

Surgical repair may be needed to increase anterior stability of the glenohumeral joint.

Hill,

Harold A., U.S. radiologist, 1901–. Hill-Sachs lesion - an irregularity seen in the head of the humerus following dislocation of the shoulder.

Sachs,

Maurice D., U.S. radiologist, 1909–. Hill-Sachs lesion - see under Hill, Harold A