Ipsilateral dislocation of the shoulder and elbow

Abstract

Ipsilateral dislocation of shoulder and elbow joints is a rare injury. Only 2 such cases have been reported in the English literature. We report a case of a 35-year-old man involved in a road traffic accident under the influence of alcohol. He sustained posterior left elbow and anterior left shoulder dislocation with minimally displaced greater tuberosity fracture. He also had partial median nerve palsy. Under intramuscular pethidine and intravenous diazepam, close reduction of elbow followed by shoulder was carried out. At 2 months, median nerve function returned to normal. At 3 months, almost full elbow and shoulder joint movement returned. Although rare and complex, this ipsilateral injury can be treated conservatively.