Continuing Education Activity

Posterior shoulder dislocations are relatively rare, accounting for about 2% to 5% of all shoulder dislocations. They occur when the head of the humerus is displaced backward, usually due to forceful adduction combined with internal rotation or from a blunt blow to the anterior shoulder. Because of the shoulder joint’s shallow structure and high mobility, it is prone to instability and dislocation. Posterior dislocations are often challenging to diagnose, as symptoms may be subtle, and conventional radiographs can miss the injury. A missed diagnosis can lead to recurrent dislocations, predisposing patients to degenerative changes in the shoulder joint.

In this course, participants learn about the etiology, clinical presentation, and management of posterior shoulder dislocations, improving their ability to accurately diagnose and treat this condition. Emphasis is placed on recognizing the atypical presentation and using advanced imaging when necessary. Collaboration among an interprofessional team, including orthopedic surgeons, emergency clinicians, radiologists, and physical therapists, is essential for accurate diagnosis and comprehensive management. Such teamwork ensures proper reduction techniques, rehabilitation, and long-term care, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and reducing the risk of recurrence.

Objectives:

• Identify the diagnostic approach for evaluating posterior shoulder dislocation injuries.

• Determine the pathophysiology and mechanism of posterior shoulder dislocations.

• Assess treatment and management options for patients with posterior shoulder dislocation injuries.

• Communicate interprofessional team strategies for improving care coordination and communication to advance the management of posterior shoulder dislocations and improve outcomes.

Introduction

The shoulder girdle is a complex articulation connecting the upper extremity to the axial skeleton. The shoulder's glenohumeral joint is the most commonly dislocated joint in the body and accounts for approximately 50% of all major dislocations seen in the emergency department. Posterior shoulder dislocations account for about 2% to 5% of all shoulder dislocations. In 30% of patients, recurrent posterior dislocations predispose the joint to degenerative changes. Dislocations in a posterior direction can be difficult to diagnose, so a high index of suspicion should be maintained when the typical history and findings on the physical exam are present.[1][2][3]

Etiology

This shoulder girdle contains the glenohumeral joint, which is a ball-and-socket joint. The humeral head and the glenoid fossa of the scapula form an extremely shallow articulation; the glenoid is approximately one-third the size of the humeral head. The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body allowing for the largest range of motion. The shallowness of the joint, while allowing for great mobility, also contributes to the joint’s instability. The cartilaginous labrum around the glenoid's rim helps deepen the socket and improve stability along with the joint capsule, ligaments, and muscular attachments.

The nerves of the brachial plexus and subclavian vessels run along the anterior shoulder girdle between the first rib and clavicle and can be prone to injury, but this is much less common in posterior dislocations. Dislocations can occur with any injury to the shoulder, whether it be traumatic, blunt, or a twisting type of injury. The most common mechanism is forceful adduction with internal rotation, but a direct, blunt blow to the anterior shoulder may also result in dislocation. Any unexplained nocturnal posterior dislocation should prompt one to consider a seizure.[4][5]

Epidemiology

Shoulder girdle pathology and dislocation can affect all adult patients regardless of age or sex. Older patients tend to have more associated soft tissue injury and instability post-dislocation, such as a rotator cuff tear, so care should be taken to give proper referral and follow-up.

Pathophysiology

The classic mechanisms of posterior dislocation involve tonic-clonic seizures, electrical shock, or anterior-directed shoulder trauma (such as grabbing the dashboard in a motor vehicle collision or falling on an outstretched hand). These injuries create forceful internal rotation, adduction, and shoulder flexion. Posterior dislocations can be subclassified into 3 anatomic types based on the final resting position of the humeral head: (1) subacromial, the most common, (2) subglenoid, and (3) subspinous. Posterior dislocations usually result in the humeral head being posterior to the glenoid and inferior to the acromion.

History and Physical

A pertinent history must be acquired when dealing with shoulder complaints. This includes age, arm dominance, location and intensity of pain, when the injury occurred, aggravating and alleviating factors, radiation of pain, and the mechanism of the injury. Patients should be fully undressed to expose both shoulders and allow for a complete inspection. Assessment of the range of motion should be performed to evaluate the limits of internal and external rotation along with flexion and extension of the shoulder. Up to 50% of posterior dislocations are missed on the initial evaluation. On exam, assess for any associated neurovascular injuries. Inspection and palpation of the anterior, lateral, and posterior shoulder may show the posterior prominence of the shoulder with the loss of the normal anterior contour along with a prominent coracoid and acromion. The arm is usually adducted with slight internal rotation. Patients do not allow external rotation or abduction secondary to severe pain.

Evaluation

Pre- and post-reduction radiographs are standard when evaluating a shoulder dislocation. When there has been significant trauma, dislocation, and fracture-dislocation can have similar findings on physical exam. Post-reduction radiographs are necessary to confirm reduction and rule out any injury or fracture during the reduction procedure. In very select cases of atraumatic chronic dislocation, radiographs may be omitted.

A 3-view shoulder series is standard when evaluating a painful shoulder. Anterior-posterior (AP) and scapular "Y" view radiographs should be obtained to assess for posterior shoulder dislocations; however, approximately 50% are initially missed on standard AP views. Therefore, the scapular "Y" view can help confirm the diagnosis with the humeral head displaced posterior to the glenoid, which is at the center of the "Y" of the scapula. However, this view is sometimes obscured by the soft tissues of the shoulder girdle and the bony anatomy of the scapula and the ribs. The axillary lateral view is the most accurate radiographic image to diagnose a posterior shoulder dislocation. This view eliminates most overlying bony and soft tissue structures that could obscure the humeral head and glenoid relationship.

On AP views, the normally visualized humerus is internally rotated; this causes the humeral head to appear symmetrical and has been compared to the shape of a light bulb or drumstick. A "rim sign" can occur when the space between the articular surface of the humeral head and the anterior glenoid rim exceeds 6 mm; also occasionally seen is a "trough sign," which may appear as a dense line on the medial aspect of the humeral head that represents a compression fracture. Further, it is important to identify if there is a reverse Hill-Sachs deformity, which may lead to chronic pain and ultimately to avascular necrosis.[6][7][8][9] These fractures are common with posterior shoulder injuries and represent an impaction fracture of the anteromedial humeral head as it abuts against the glenoid rim during the dislocation injury. A computed tomography scan can be considered when radiographs do not show suspected posterior dislocations. More recently, bedside ultrasound has also successfully been used to diagnose dislocations accurately, but fracture diagnosis is limited.

Treatment / Management

Posterior dislocations are commonly associated with severe pain and muscle spasms; therefore, procedural sedation is frequently administered. Intra-articular injections of lidocaine or bupivacaine have also been used as an adjunct to pain management to aid in the reduction. Closed reduction is accomplished with in-line traction on the affected arm, which lies internally rotated and adducted. The traction and gentle, anteriorly-directed manipulation of the humeral head help guide it into the glenoid sulcus. Counter-traction can be applied with a sheet around the affected axilla. Forceful external rotation should be avoided as this can put undue stress on the proximal humerus, leading to fracture. The successful reduction is evident when a "clunk" is felt as the joint is reduced, pain is relieved, and the range of motion allows the patient to place the palm of the injured arm on the opposite shoulder. If unsuccessful, orthopedic consultation is indicated for closed reduction and, at times, open reduction.

Once reduction is accomplished, reassess the neurovascular status. Post-reduction radiographs are useful for confirming and documenting successful reduction and diagnosing any injuries occurring during the reduction procedure. Patients should have their shoulder immobilized with a sling or shoulder immobilizer in external rotation and slight abduction for a few weeks. Early orthopedic follow-up is necessary to ensure proper healing, early range of motion, and rehabilitation. In cases that are diagnosed late or are more chronic, orthopedic consultation is indicated because these patients often require semi-elective open reduction, internal fixation, or even arthroplasty. Early operative repair may decrease the incidence of recurrence as well.[10][11][12]

Differential Diagnosis

The differential diagnoses for posterior shoulder dislocations include the following:

• Acromioclavicular joint injury 
• Bicipital tendonitis 
• Clavicle fractures
• Rotator cuff injury 
• Shoulder dislocation 
• Swimmer shoulder

Pearls and Other Issues

Complications of any shoulder dislocation include fracture and neurovascular injury. However, in contrast to anterior dislocations, neurovascular injuries are less common due to the anterior location of the neurovascular structures and the posterior location of the humeral head in this type of dislocation. Soft tissue injuries such as rotator cuff tears are also common, especially in older adults. Reverse Hill-Sachs deformities, reverse Bankart lesions, and glenoid rim fractures are associated with increased recurrence and prolonged recovery. Proper referral to an orthopedist or specialist in shoulder injury should be ensured to avoid the long-term complications associated with posterior shoulder dislocations.

Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

An interprofessional team often manages posterior shoulder dislocation. While the diagnosis is relatively simple, sometimes those injuries are missed and present late and can profoundly impact the patient's function. Healthcare workers must know potential complications, including fractures and neurovascular injury. In addition, patients may develop soft tissue injuries such as rotator cuff tears, especially in older adults, and these need to be promptly recognized and addressed to reduce the risk of long-term disability. Recurrence of posterior shoulder dislocation can occur and is often associated with prolonged recovery. Proper referral to an orthopedist or specialist in shoulder injury should be ensured to avoid the long-term complications associated with posterior shoulder dislocations.[13]