A bone dent from a shoulder dislocation
A Hill-Sachs lesion is a compression fracture at the back of the humeral head, caused when the ball of the shoulder dislocates and grinds against the socket rim. Same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Key takeaways
A Hill-Sachs lesion is a compression fracture at the back of the humeral head, caused when the ball of the shoulder dislocates and grinds against the socket rim. It is usually found on imaging after a dislocation, so evaluation matters most when the shoulder has come out of joint or feels unstable.
A Hill-Sachs lesion is a dent in the back of the ball of the shoulder, created when the shoulder dislocates. Small lesions usually need no treatment beyond rehabilitation for the dislocation itself. Larger lesions can catch on the socket and let the shoulder slip out again, so they are treated surgically, usually at the same time as a labral repair.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose a Hill-Sachs lesion, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
This is a shoulder injury. It's a compression fracture that creates a dent in the head of the humerus. That's the ball of the arm bone that fits into your shoulder socket. The dent interferes with the motion of your shoulder.
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, which makes it vulnerable to instability and impingement. The elbow is a hinge that lets you reach, lift, and rotate the forearm. Both rely on tendons and ligaments that can tear or fray over time.
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for a Hill-Sachs lesion typically looks like:
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
Minimally invasive and reconstructive procedures performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons.
Shoulder & elbow care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
Our shoulder & elbow specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a shoulder & elbow specialist is the next step.
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a shoulder & elbow specialist.
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
ImportantGo to the emergency room for a shoulder that looks out of place or will not move after an injury. Seek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, new numbness or weakness in the arm, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the shoulder & elbow, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the shoulder & elbow.
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the shoulder & elbow. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
At LAOSS, our shoulder & elbow specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
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Don't let a Hill-Sachs lesion be something you just power through. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether you need physical therapy, injections, or surgery, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a shoulder & elbow specialist in Los Angeles.
Book a visit with a shoulder & elbow specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
