Acute shoulder injuries can lead to significant pain, functional impairment, and reduced quality of life. Prompt recognition, accurate diagnosis, and appropriate management are crucial to prevent long-term complications and facilitate optimal recovery.

A study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine estimated the annual incidence of shoulder injuries in the United States to be approximately 14.7 per 1,000 person-years, with the highest rates observed in individuals aged 18 to 44 years.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) provides real-time imaging, and can assess for abnormalities such as impingement, tendon tears, or instability during active movement. It may offer cost savings as compared to repeat radiographs and MRI and can provide real-time guidance for therapeutic interventions, such as injections or aspirations. Several studies have demonstrated the diagnostic accuracy and reliability of POCUS in the evaluation of shoulder injuries, including its ability to detect rotator cuff tears, subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis, and glenohumeral joint effusion. It is radiation-free, making it a safer imaging modality, particularly for pregnant women and pediatric patients and allows for interactive discussion with patients during the imaging process so that they can actively participate in shared decision-making regarding their treatment plan.

There have been no studies in India and very limited studies worldwide bringing out the reduction in time by POCUS as compared to conventional diagnostic bundle to diagnose acute shoulder trauma, which is an emergency