Ipsilateral simultaneous inferior shoulder dislocation and posterior elbow dislocation: A case report

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Traumatology

Background:

• Inferior shoulder dislocation is a rare injury, often associated with significant trauma.
• Combined ipsilateral shoulder and elbow dislocations are exceptionally uncommon.

Observation:

• A 21-year-old male construction worker presented with ipsilateral inferior shoulder and posterior elbow dislocations.
• The patient sustained these injuries in a work-related incident.

Findings:

• A novel, single-operator closed reduction technique was successfully employed for both dislocations without anesthesia.
• The patient experienced significant recovery of shoulder and elbow function, returning to his physically demanding job.
• Despite permanent deltoid muscle paralysis due to axillary nerve injury, the patient regained functional arm abduction using accessory muscles.

Implications:

• This case highlights the possibility of returning to high-activity employment after severe shoulder and elbow dislocations with nerve injury.
• The described reduction technique may be applicable to other cases of inferior shoulder dislocations.
• Functional recovery and return to work are achievable even with permanent loss of axillary nerve function.