Ipsilateral Shoulder and Elbow Dislocation Without Fracture: A Case Report

Simultaneous ipsilateral elbow and shoulder dislocations without associated fracture or other injury are extremely rare injuries. To date, there have been no such recorded injuries that include a posterior shoulder dislocation per a review of PubMed databases. This case involves an otherwise healthy 28-year-old male who sustained a simultaneous posterior left elbow dislocation with a posterior left shoulder dislocation without any other associated injury/fracture in a softball incident. Both joint dislocations were managed conservatively with bedside reduction of the elbow, followed by the shoulder and subsequent sling application. Given that the pain from the elbow can mask shoulder injuries, we recommend a high index of suspicion for concomitant injuries of adjacent structures when patients present with an elbow dislocation.