Bilateral four-part anterior fracture dislocation of the shoulder--a case report and review of literature

• Published in: Bulletin of the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases 2012-10, Vol.70 (4), p.268-272
• Main Authors: Bachhal, Vikas, Goni, Vijay, Taneja, Ashish, Shashidhar, B K, Bali, Kamal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Biomechanical Phenomena; Electric Injuries - etiology; Electric Injuries - physiopathology; Electric Injuries - surgery; Fractures, Comminuted - etiology; Fractures, Comminuted - physiopathology; Fractures, Comminuted - surgery; Hemiarthroplasty; Humans; Joint Dislocations - etiology; Joint Dislocations - physiopathology; Joint Dislocations - surgery; Male; Middle Aged; Recovery of Function; Shoulder Fractures - etiology; Shoulder Fractures - physiopathology; Shoulder Fractures - surgery; Shoulder Joint - diagnostic imaging; Shoulder Joint - injuries; Shoulder Joint - physiopathology; Shoulder Joint - surgery; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1936-9719; 1936-9727

Although bilateral anterior dislocation of shoulder is not that uncommon, there have been only 12 published reports on bilateral anterior fracture dislocation of shoulder. The associated fractures have mostly been greater tuberosity fractures with bilateral three part fractures being reported in only two cases. To our knowledge, a bilateral four part anterior fracture dislocation of the shoulder has not yet been reported in the English literature. We here report a case of bilateral anterior fracture dislocation with four part fracture of both proximal humeri in a 60-year-old male due to electrocution. Considering the comparatively old age of the patient and excessive comminution of both the fractures, a bilateral hemiarthroplasty was done. At the last follow-up after more than 2 years, the patient was pain free with ability to comfortably carry out most of the activities of daily life. Through our case report, we highlight the rarity of the condition and review the available literature on the subject. We also emphasize the importance of meticulous perioperative planning when dealing with such cases to ensure a satisfactory long-term outcome.