The Stryker’s View (Shoulder Projection)
1. Clinical Definition
The Stryker’s view is a specific radiographic projection used to evaluate the posterior-superior aspect of the humeral head. It is essential in the assessment of patients with recurrent shoulder dislocations.
2. High-Yield Indication: Hill-Sachs Lesion
The primary clinical utility of this view is to detect a Hill-Sachs lesion (an impaction fracture of the posterior-superior humeral head caused by the glenoid rim during an anterior shoulder dislocation).
- The “Why”: Standard AP views of the shoulder often fail to visualize this lesion clearly. The Stryker view profile demonstrates it excellently.
3. Positioning & Technique
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Patient Position | Supine, with the palm of the affected shoulder placed on the top of the head. |
| Beam Angle | The central ray angled 10° cephalad toward the coracoid process. |
4. Exam Pearls
- Diagnostic Focus: If an exam question mentions a patient with a history of recurrent anterior shoulder dislocations and asks for the best view to see the resulting impaction fracture, look for Stryker’s view.
- Context: Remember to distinguish this from the West Point view (which evaluates for bony Bankart lesions/glenoid rim fractures).