Dyspnea in a case of shoulder dislocation – to beware of this rare life-threatening symptom

Abstract

Shoulder dislocation is a common injury in orthopedic practice. In an acute presentation, closed reduction of the shoulder joint leads to an uneventful recovery. However, in the developing world neglected shoulder dislocation and treatments from quacks are not uncommon. Improper treatment and neglect can rarely become life threatening. We present one such case, emphasizing the need to investigate the symptom of dyspnea in a patient with history of shoulder dislocation.

Keywords

• Shoulder dislocation
• Dyspnea
• Intra-thoracic migration of head of humerus