Late Lateral Displacement of the Humeral Head after Closed Reduction of Glenohumeral Dislocation: A Sign of Vascular Injury

The most devastating comvlications associated with cally, and the greater tuberosity seemed to be reduced anatomically. L, dislocation of the shoulder injuries of the vessels or The patient was admitted to the hospital for observation and management of pain. An abduction pillow was used to immobilize the nerves to the limbl~'~*.'". e signs of vascular injury must left arm, The next day, a repeat neurological demon-be and the be addressed strated normal sensation over the lateral asoect of the deltoid muscle promptly to minimize functional morbidity. and active extension of the wrist and digits was possible. Normal We report on a patient who was seen because of a mass in the axilla four weeks after glenohumeral dislo-cation. Radiographs showed lateral displacement of the humeral head; the humerus was levered away from the glenoid by a pseudoaneurysm of the axillary artery. We report on this patient to illustrate that late lateral dislocation of the glenohumeral joint may suggest vas-cular injury