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Glenohumeral Dislocation, Posterior, Sports Medicine

Boswell Benjamin, DO and Ray Tracy, MD, FACSM, CAQSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • A posterior glenohumeral dislocation (PGHD) occurs when the humeral head disarticulates from the glenoid and rests posteriorly to its normally seated position on the glenoid.

  • Glenohum...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Traumatic mechanism of injury is generally direct trauma to anterior aspect of shoulder.

  • Epileptic or electrocution event with complaint of shoulder pain and inability to range GH join...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Expedited reduction is key. Delay in reduction leads to worsening muscle spasm and tightness, making reduction attempts more difficult.

  • Generally, closed reduction attempts sh...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Orthopedic referral should be considered for all PGHD. Potential associated injuries of fractures, rotator cuff tears, and labral pathology require evaluation and...

REFERENCES

1
Rosas-Medina JA. Undetected traumatic posterior glenohumeral dislocation [in Spanish]. Acta Ortop Mex.  2017;31(4):196–201.
2
Bradley JP, Forsythe B, Mascarenhas R. Arthroscopic managem...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Andrews JR, Wilk KE. The Athlete’s Shoulder. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 1994.

  • Canale TS. Campbell’s Operative Orthopaedics: Fractures and Dislocations. St. Louis, MO: M...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Due to the high rate of missed posterior shoulder dislocations, one must include an axillary view to the standard series of shoulder radiographs. Have a low threshold to check advanced...

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