Bilateral Posterior Shoulder Fracture-Dislocation – A Diagnostic Challenge.

A case of bilateral posterior shoulder fracture-dislocations following an epileptic seizure due to chronic alcohol abuse is described. The fracture-dislocations were missed primarily and were interpreted clinically as hemiparesis of the right arm with no damage to the left shoulder before they were diagnosed and treated firstly with closed reduction and later by open reduction and internal fixation. Treatment was operative with bilateral interlocking plates followed by bandaging with loose slings for four weeks with subsequent active physiotherapy. Results at follow-up after 38 weeks were excellent with Constant Shoulder Scores of 51/47 and no redislocations occurring.