Dislocation of the Shoulder and Ipsilateral Fracture of the Humeral Shaft

Abstract

Shoulder dislocation associated with ipsilateral humeral shaft fracture is an uncommon combination. Two cases treated, one by open and the other by closed methods, are presented. The mechanism of this complex injury is detailed and the treatment modalities are discussed. The relevant literature is reviewed.

Co-existing fractures of the proximal humerus and humeral shaft without shoulder dislocation – a rare injury

“…3 In highenergy trauma, multiple forces are involved and the fracture pattern depends on the most predominant force. Kontakis et al 2 reported dislocation of the shoulder and ipsilateral fractures of the humeral shaft, a combination of forces have been implicated to explain the mechanism of this injury. Similarly, in our patient, the fracture resulted from a combination of complex forces.…”

“…2,4 It is, therefore, important to perform an initial neurovascular assessment and to repeat this after application of a plaster. In the current case, we think the radial nerve injury was neuropraxia.…”

“…In the few case reports that have been published describing this injury, the proximal humerus fracture is invariably associated with a shoulder dislocation. 2 We report a case of a 39-year-old man who suffered high-energy trauma to his shoulder that resulted in coexisting fractures of the proximal humerus and humeral shaft without shoulder dislocation. The fracture was successfully managed with open reduction and rigid internal fixation.…”

Simultaneous anterior dislocation of the shoulder and fracture of the ipsilateral humeral shaft

“…Sankaran-Kutty [11] suggested that the shoulder and arm injury may result from a force transmitted through the axis of the humerus to the shoulder simultaneously causing fracture of the shaft and the dislocation. Kontakis [9] proposed that the dislocation always occurred first and the action of the subsequent forces resulted in the shaft fracture. The type of fracture is related to the mode of forces acting upon the bone.…”

Dislocation of the Shoulder with Ipsilateral Humeral Shaft Fracture - A Case Report -

“…견관절의 탈구와 동반된 동측 상완골의 골절은 매우 드 물지만 심한 고에너지 손상으로 응급 처치를 요한다 5,9) . 현 재까지 전세계적으로 약 20예의 증례가 보고되어 있으나 손상 기전과 치료 방법에 있어 명확하게 정해진 것이 없으 며 …”