Deltoid contracture in children of central Calcutta

Seventeen Muslim children of central Calcutta with postinjection fibrosis of the deltoid and abduction deformity are presented. The abduction deformity developed 3 to 7 years after receiving the first injection. Winging of the scapula and inability to bring the arm by the side of the body were the presenting symptoms in most cases. Excision of the main fibrotic band, which generally occurred in the intermediate fibres of the deltoid, along with incision of the thinner fibrotic bands when present, resulted in satisfactory correction of the deformity in 93.5% of the cases. The power in the deltoid remained Medical Research Council grade 5 in spite of loss of muscle bulk due to fibrosis.