Acute osseous traumatic lesions of the shoulder girdle

Traumatic injuries to the shoulder girdle are common lesions and occur from birth on through the whole life. Depending on the patient's age, localization and type of injury change. Diagnosis of acute osseous traumatic lesions to the shoulder is based on evaluation of trauma mechanism, patient's examination and, as for the most cases, conventional radiographs. Only in certain cases additional radiological examinations are necessary. As a minimum, two to three images in different planes, anteriorposterior, lateral and axillary, are recommended in order to display all components of the shoulder girdle without superposition. Knowledge of common clinical classifications systems is necessary for exact diagnosis in order to permit decision on conservative or operative treatment of injury.