Neglected Superior Dislocation of the Shoulder Joint: A Case Report

Cureus. 2024 Feb 29;16(2):e55245. doi: 10.7759/cureus.55245. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Abstract

The anterior subtype of shoulder dislocations constitutes the vast majority that either reduces instantly or is reduced at the point of care with no serious complexities. The posterior ones are infrequent and inferior and superior dislocations are even more rare. Rupture of the deltoid is considered to be linked with superior dislocation; regardless, very few articles are available pertaining to the mechanism of onset and the management of a superior shoulder dislocation. In the line of traumatic shoulder dislocations, we present a one-year-old neglected case of a 23-year-old male who sustained an open injury over the right outstretched upper arm, abducted at an angle of approximately 45° due to a fall from a height of approximately 18 feet. This unique report outlines the various surgical modalities available, given the patient's late presentation due to neglect.

Keywords: glenohumeral joint dislocation; irreducible shoulder dislocation; shoulder instability; shoulder trauma; superior dislocation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports