An Approach to the Management of Bilateral Posterior Shoulder Dislocations Following Seizure: Case Report, Literature Review, and Proposed Treatment Algorithm

Abstract

Bilateral posterior shoulder dislocations in patients with seizure disorders are an uncommon injury that is difficult to treat. Surgery is typically required and impaction lesions often require bone reconstruction procedures. Seizures in the early postoperative period can have disastrous consequences when bone restoration procedures are disrupted. However, delaying treatment of persistent instability can cause further joint damage and bone loss potentially leading to the need for humeral head replacement. Our purpose is to introduce an approach to treating the young patient who presents with bilateral posterior dislocations related to a seizure. We report a case, describe the surgical techniques used, and propose an algorithm for managing the treatment of a young patient who presents with bilateral posterior dislocations related to a seizure. At her most recent follow-up (57 mo postoperative for the left shoulder and 41 mo postoperative for the right shoulder), she denied any apprehension or instability in either shoulder and had no further dislocations. She reported mild chronic pain in both shoulders, worse in the right than the left. She has a smooth passive range of motion with no crepitus in either shoulder. Her range of motion in forward elevation/external rotation/internal rotation is 150/45/L3 on the left and 50/150/L3 on the right. Strength is 5/5 in all planes and her subscapularis is clinically intact bilaterally. Our case illustrates the importance of early surgical intervention, resulting in functional, stable shoulders even in the face of medically and surgically intractable epilepsy. This algorithm highlights the importance of multidisciplinary cooperation and early surgical intervention to minimize bone loss and avoid joint replacement.