When can anterior dislocations of the shoulder with an isolated fracture of the greater tuberosity be safely reduced in the emergency department?

Abstract

Following dislocation of the glenohumeral joint with an isolated greater tuberosity fracture, closed reduction in the emergency department can lead to fracture propagation or iatrogenic fractures. This article assesses the evidence regarding when anterior dislocations of the shoulder with an isolated fracture of the greater tuberosity can be safely reduced in the emergency department, as there is currently no clear guidance on this. A total of eight articles described 172 cases which underwent closed reduction, which resulted in 22 cases of iatrogenic fractures. Female sex, increased patient age and fragments of the greater tuberosity were associated with an increased risk of iatrogenic fractures. Closed reduction in the emergency department appears to be a safe option in younger patients and those with greater tuberosity fractures less than 40% of the width of the humeral head.

Keywords: Closed reduction; Dislocation; Emergency department; Fracture-dislocation; Glenohumeral; Iatrogenic fracture; Shoulder; Subluxation.