Open glenohumeral dislocation: skeletonization of the proximal humerus without associated fracture

Shoulder dislocations are common injuries. In the realm of high-energy trauma, enough force can be dissipated to violate the entire soft tissue envelope surrounding the shoulder girdle, generating an open injury. This article presents a case of a young man involved in a motorcycle accident in which he sustained an open glenohumeral dislocation with complete skeletonization of the proximal humerus. There were no associated fractures with his injury. Our patient underwent staged irrigation and debridement of his shoulder with delayed tendoligamentous reconstruction of the skeletonized proximal humerus. After reconstruction, he was immobilized for 3 weeks and then began a progressive shoulder rehabilitation protocol. He healed with no evidence of infection, residual instability, or avascular necrosis at his 4-month follow-up examination. At that point, he had regained functional use of his shoulder for activities of daily living and had no pain. His range of active motion was limited to 90° of flexion and abduction, 0° of external rotation, and internal rotation to the L4. He had complete resolution of a sensory and motor axillary neuropraxia that resulted from his initial injury. It was felt that the patient had potential for continued gains in range of motion and strength.Our patient is only the second description of an open glenohumeral dislocation with no associated fractures of the proximal humerus. This skeletonization of the proximal humerus represents a complex soft tissue injury that severely compromises the functional capacity of the shoulder. Understanding the nature of the injury and the involved structures and maintaining a sound treatment algorithm allow orthopedic surgeons to maximize the patient's functional outcome.