Diagnostic accuracy of Point of Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) for shoulder dislocations and reductions in the emergency department – a diagnostic randomised control trial

In adult patients (age >16yrs) presenting to the ED with acute traumatic shoulder pain, can PoCUS improve diagnostic accuracy for shoulder dislocation with or without proximal humeral fractures and shoulder reduction when combined to physical examination as opposed to physical examination alone?

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN17048126

Enrollment

500

Registered

2019-09-30

Start date

2019-10-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2020-04-27

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Shoulder dislocations with or without proximal humeral fractures Musculoskeletal Diseases Dislocation of shoulder joint

Interventions

Consecutive patients presenting to Mater Dei Hospital ED, with acute traumatic shoulder pain will be eligible to take part in the study. Eligible patients will be accompanied to a predefined room and

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Over 16 years old 2. Acute shoulder pain and decreased range of motion post-trauma 3. Patient able to give informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Chronic shoulder pain 2. Poly-trauma patients needing emergency surgery like laparotomy 3. Patients referred with a confirmed diagnosis of shoulder dislocations on X-ray

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Success rate of clinical examination or the clinical examination with PoCUS at detecting the presence or absence of shoulder dislocation with or without proximal humeral fracture and the presence or absence of successful shoulder reduction	—

Countries

Malta

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 14, 2026