Bilateral luxatio erecta humeri

Abstract

Based on this case and the pertinent literature, the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of this rare injury are discussed.

Inferior glenohumeral dislocation (luxatio erecta humeri): Report of six cases and review of the literature

“…[7] The classical view, which is also characteristic, is the hyper-adduction of the affected arm, flexion of the elbow, and the hand positioned over or behind the head. [5,7,8] The unaffected hand supports the arm in order to stabilize the affected arm and alleviate the pain. On physical examination, the glenoid cavity is empty and the head of the dislocated humerus can be palpated in the axilla or over the chest wall.…”

“…Because of the pulling effect of the pectoralis major, the arm stays in the erected position. [7,10] There may be severe soft-tissue injury due to the avulsion of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus and teres minor muscles. There are some complications of LE.…”

“…The prognosis is excellent in most of the noncomplicated LE cases. [2,4,7,9,15] Although closed reduction is usually successful without difficulty, failures do occur, usually secondary to entrapment of the humeral head in the torn inferior joint capsule. If this occurs, operative treatment with open reduction is the treatment of choice.…”

“…If this occurs, operative treatment with open reduction is the treatment of choice. [1,7,10] Additionally, if displacement of the tuberculum majus is more than 5 mm after reduction, surgery would be indicated. If the fracture involves more than 25% of the glenoid cavity, then surgery would also be indicated as instability may occur.…”

CT and MRI manifestations of luxatio erecta humeri and a review of the literature

“…The rotator cuff was reported intact [11]. There are also reports that make reference to the MRI findings without actual depiction; Mohseni reported inferior and superior labral tearing and fraying in a patient with LEH, and Karaoglu et al reported a patient with bilateral LEH and bilateral complete tears of the supraspinatus tendons [12,13].…”