Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
203,234 studies31 sourcesUpdated 30 min ago
Peer-reviewedCC BY-NCJournal of Orthopaedic Case Reports

Bilateral, Asynchronous, Inferior Shoulder Dislocation in a Multidisabled Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

  • Fawzi E Ali1
  • Yasmina F Ali2
  1. 1Medical Rehabilitation Center, Public Authority for Disability Affairs, Hawally, Kuwait.
  2. 2Department of Physiotherapy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
Read full textPDFDOICite

Abstract

Introduction: Inferior glenohumeral dislocation, or luxatio erecta humeri (LEH), is an exceptionally rare injury accounting for approximately 0.5% of all shoulder dislocations. It typically results from high-energy trauma through hyperabduction or direct axial loading, forcing the humeral head inferiorly and locking the arm in abduction. While unilateral presentation is rare, bilateral occurrence is extraordinary. Diagnostic or therapeutic delays can cause severe, permanent neurovascular and musculoskeletal sequelae. Case Report: A 42-year-old male with profound neurodevelopmental disabilities – including cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, total blindness, and epilepsy – residing in a long-term care facility presented with an acute right LEH. Attempted closed reduction at an orthopedic center was unsuccessful, and the patient was discharged against medical advice without definitive intervention. Four years later, at age 46, the patient presented with a neglected, chronic left LEH. Due to the chronic, fixed nature of the bilateral injuries, the dislocations were deemed un-reducible, resulting in a profound and permanent accumulation of orthopedic disability. Conclusion: Managing LEH in patients with severe developmental disabilities presents unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Cognitive and communication barriers often cause diagnostic overshadowing, leading to missed or severely delayed presentations. Furthermore, management is frequently complicated by patient uncooperativeness, high-risk anesthesia profiles, and increased risks of operative failure.

Related

  1. Bilateral transient osteoporosis of the hip with asynchronous onset during pregnancy: a case report
    Kenta Inoue, Yosuke Gomi, Yasushi Takai +3
    Case reports in women's healthPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMC
  2. Apparent bilateral aldosterone suppression during adrenal venous sampling associated with preferential drainage into the left inferior phrenic vein.
    Tomoko Nishigaki, Masaaki Yamamoto, Yuichi Higuchi +8
    Endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism case reportsPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textEndocrinology & metabolismEurope PMC
  3. Renal vein thrombosis with inferior vena cava extension and pulmonary embolism in a patient with acute pyelonephritis: a case report and updated literature review
    Ratna Sutanto, Koesbandono, Marshita Masui +1
    CEN Case ReportsPeer-reviewedLicence not statedFull textGeneral medicinePMC
  4. Trauma-related simultaneous asymmetric bilateral hip dislocation: A case report.
    Bedrettin Akar, Yusuf Ozturkmen, Sahabettin Mete +2
    Ulusal travma ve acil cerrahi dergisi = Turkish journal of trauma & emergency surgery : TJTESPeer-reviewedCC BY-NCFull textSurgery & anaesthesiaEurope PMC
  5. Patient-Reported Outcomes After Septoplasty With Bilateral Radiofrequency Inferior Turbinate Reduction: A Prospective Cohort Study.
    Maria C Michali, Ioannis G Kastanioudakis, Ioannis D Komnos +5
    CureusPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textSurgery & anaesthesiaEurope PMC

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{ali2026bilateral,
  title = {{Bilateral, Asynchronous, Inferior Shoulder Dislocation in a Multidisabled Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature}},
  author = {Fawzi E Ali and Yasmina F Ali},
  journal = {Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.13107/jocr.2026.v16.i11.8404},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.13107/jocr.2026.v16.i11.8404},
  note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Bilateral, Asynchronous, Inferior Shoulder Dislocation in a Multidisabled Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
AU  - Fawzi E Ali
AU  - Yasmina F Ali
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/01
JO  - Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports
DO  - 10.13107/jocr.2026.v16.i11.8404
UR  - https://doi.org/10.13107/jocr.2026.v16.i11.8404
AB  - Introduction: Inferior glenohumeral dislocation, or luxatio erecta humeri (LEH), is an exceptionally rare injury accounting for approximately 0.5% of all shoulder dislocations. It typically results from high-energy trauma through hyperabduction or direct axial loading, forcing the humeral head inferiorly and locking the arm in abduction. While unilateral presentation is rare, bilateral occurrence is extraordinary. Diagnostic or therapeutic delays can cause severe, permanent neurovascular and musculoskeletal sequelae. Case Report: A 42-year-old male with profound neurodevelopmental disabilities – including cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, total blindness, and epilepsy – residing in a long-term care facility presented with an acute right LEH. Attempted closed reduction at an orthopedic center was unsuccessful, and the patient was discharged against medical advice without definitive intervention. Four years later, at age 46, the patient presented with a neglected, chronic left LEH. Due to the chronic, fixed nature of the bilateral injuries, the dislocations were deemed un-reducible, resulting in a profound and permanent accumulation of orthopedic disability. Conclusion: Managing LEH in patients with severe developmental disabilities presents unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Cognitive and communication barriers often cause diagnostic overshadowing, leading to missed or severely delayed presentations. Furthermore, management is frequently complicated by patient uncooperativeness, high-risk anesthesia profiles, and increased risks of operative failure.
SN  - 2250-0685
SN  - 2321-3817
ER  -