Severe Heterotopic Ossification with Proximal Entrapment of the Ulnar Nerve following Primary Anterior Shoulder Dislocation

Malik Jessen; Christian Gerhardt; Lars-Johannes Lehmann; Jonas Schmalzl

doi:10.1155/2020/8883758

Severe Heterotopic Ossification with Proximal Entrapment of the Ulnar Nerve following Primary Anterior Shoulder Dislocation

Case Rep Orthop. 2020 Oct 3:2020:8883758. doi: 10.1155/2020/8883758. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Malik Jessen¹, Christian Gerhardt¹, Lars-Johannes Lehmann¹, Jonas Schmalzl¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Traumatology and Hand Surgery, St. Vincentius Clinic, ViDia Clinics, Teaching Hospital of the Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Suedendstraße 32, 76137 Karlsruhe, Germany.

Abstract

Heterotopic ossifications (HO) in the shoulder are rare. The effectiveness of conservative treatment is limited, and therefore, symptomatic cases are usually treated surgically. However, there are no guidelines for the surgical treatment of HO. Herein, we report the case of a 45-year-old man with severe HO and proximal entrapment of the ulnar nerve following primary anterior shoulder dislocation without concomitant injuries (e.g., fracture and rotator cuff tears). Surgical intervention was indicated, including resection of HO and neurolysis of the brachial plexus. Nine months after surgery, the patient presented with restored shoulder function, pain relief, and good patient satisfaction. The case shows that the ulnar nerve can also be impaired due to HO following shoulder dislocation.

Publication types

Case Reports