Traumatic Bilateral Luxatio Erecta from a Sliding Injury Down a Ladder; A Rare Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Bilateral inferior shoulder dislocations also known as luxatio erecta is an extremely rare injury that is commonly complicated with injuries to the humeral head, glenoid, clavicle, scapula, rotator cuff, capsule, ligaments, brachial plexus, axillary artery and vein. Our patient is a 66-year-old man who presented with both upper extremities above his head in a fixed abducted position after sliding down a ladder approximately 6-meters. Initial radiographs revealed both humeral heads to be located below the glenoid fossa with each humeral shaft parallel to the scapular spines. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a right Hill-Sachs compression fracture (posterolateral humeral head) with a bony Bankart fracture (anteroinferior glenoid) and an avulsion fracture of the left acromion. Successful closed reduction was obtained. Upon follow up, bilateral rotator cuff tears were suspected and confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Early recognition, treatment and follow-up is essential to minimize complications.

Keywords

• Bilateral luxatio erecta
• Bilateral inferior shoulder dislocations
• Trauma