Open inferior glenohumeral dislocation.

Abstract

An open inferior glenohumeral dislocation or luxatio erecta humeri is a rare type of shoulder dislocation, with only two cases reported in the literature. Presented is the case of a 36-year-old farmer who sustained an open inferior glenohumeral dislocation in a farm equipment accident. The humeral head penetrated the skin inferior to the pectoralis major muscle, an avulsion fracture of the greater tuberosity was present, and the subscapular tendon was ruptured near its insertion into the lesser tuberosity. At follow-up 18 months after injury, the restricted range of motion of the shoulder remained despite treatment attempts, including manipulation under anesthesia with arthroscopic debridement of the shoulder; however, no evidence of avascular necrosis of the humeral head was found.