Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty Associated With Unnoticed Glenohumeral Dislocation: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Shoulder Reconstruction
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Inveterate anterior glenohumeral dislocation presents complex treatment challenges.
• Osteonecrosis of the humeral head is an uncommon complication of shoulder dislocations.
• Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is established for cuff tear arthropathy.

Observation:

• A 63-year-old female patient presented with a chronic anterior glenohumeral dislocation.
• Diagnostic evaluation revealed osteonecrosis of the humeral head in this patient.
• The patient's condition necessitated a tailored surgical approach.

Findings:

• The patient was successfully treated with reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA).
• This surgical intervention addressed both the chronic dislocation and humeral head osteonecrosis.
• The treatment aimed to restore shoulder function and alleviate pain.

Implications:

• Reverse shoulder arthroplasty can be an effective treatment for rare cases of shoulder dislocation with humeral head osteonecrosis.
• This approach facilitates rapid patient recovery and yields positive functional outcomes.
• Successful treatment significantly enhances the patient's overall quality of life.