Surgical and Rehabilitative Treatment of Misdiagnosed Posterior Dislocation of the Shoulder: Case Series

Abstract

Background: Posterior gleno-humeral joint (GHJ) dislocation is a rare injury accounting for 2.7–3% of all shoulder dislocations. Early detection is the key for an effective treatment. Poor clinical outcomes or prosthetic solutions depend on the severity of the lesions at the time of trauma and worsening of the McLaughlin lesion during the months when the dislocation remains unrecognized or untreated. The aim of the study is to report our experience in treating, and clinically and radiographically evaluate the outcomes of, four neglected posterior GHJ dislocations. Methods: Four patients with inveterate posterior dislocation of the shoulder were evaluated. In three cases, the technique of McLaughlin was performed, and in one case, plication of the subscapularis tendon was performed. During the follow up, patients were clinically evaluated using the Constant shoulder score; an imaging investigation, using X-ray integrated with computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), was assessed. Results: Following the Constant criteria, treated shoulders reported an excellent outcome with an average score of 91. The mean score of untreated shoulders was 92.5. The humeral appearance that resulted was radiographically well-structured. Surgical treatment with McLaughlin lesion or transposition of the subscapularis were satisfactory from a subjective and objective point of view. To perform surgery soon as possible after the traumatic episode is considered a positive prognostic factor.

Keywords

• posterior dislocation of the shoulder
• McLaughlin lesion
• reverse Hills–Sachs lesion
• neglected posterior glenohumeral dislocation