Bilateral anterior dislocation of the shoulders at the start of a backstroke competition

J Orthop Traumatol. 2012 Mar;13(1):47-9. doi: 10.1007/s10195-011-0176-5. Epub 2012 Feb 9.

Abstract

Bilateral anterior dislocation of the shoulders is very rare. A 20-year-old man presented with bilateral anterior shoulder dislocation as a result of a diving incident. He complained of pain and restriction of movement in both shoulders with abducted and externally rotated arms. Radiographs revealed that the shoulders were dislocated. The patient was treated with closed reduction and was able to resume swimming 3 months later. To our knowledge, this is the first bilateral anterior dislocation of the shoulders during a backstroke swimming competition that was caused by this mechanism of injury. The rarity of this lesion and its uncommon mechanism prompted us to relate this observation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Manipulation, Orthopedic / methods*
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • Radiography
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Shoulder Dislocation / diagnostic imaging
  • Shoulder Dislocation / etiology*
  • Shoulder Dislocation / therapy
  • Shoulder Injuries*
  • Shoulder Joint / diagnostic imaging
  • Shoulder Joint / physiopathology
  • Swimming / injuries*
  • Young Adult