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. 2016 Jan 27;6(1):e6.
doi: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.O.00016.

Intrathoracic Glenohumeral Dislocation without Fracture of the Humerus: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Clifford Lin  1 , Brent Mollon  2 , Caroline Scott  2 , Philip Brady  3 , Terry S Axelrod  4 , Richard J Jenkinson  4
Affiliations

Intrathoracic Glenohumeral Dislocation without Fracture of the Humerus: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Clifford Lin et al. JBJS Case Connect. .

Abstract

Case: A fifty-three-year-old man presented with an intrathoracic glenohumeral dislocation (ITGHD) and associated hemothorax, rib fracture, massive rotator cuff tear, and axillary nerve palsy following an ice hockey injury. Treatment consisted of closed reduction and staged open rotator cuff repair. Despite a substantial injury, the patient recovered nearly normal use of the arm two years postoperatively.

Conclusion: ITGHD is an extremely rare entity. This injury should be managed by a multidisciplinary team with anticipation of associated thoracic and vascular injuries. In cases with repairable pathology (e.g., an acute rotator cuff tear), good functional outcomes can be obtained.

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