Axillary Artery Injury Following Closed Reduction of an Age-Indeterminate Anterior Glenohumeral Dislocation

Abstract

Case study: This report details an axillary artery injury associated with an anterior glenohumeral dislocation. The patient was initially evaluated at an outside hospital where the vascular injury was not immediately identified, and then was subsequently transferred to our institution where he underwent bypass grafting without significant sequela. Conclusion: Although rare, clinicians should actively rule out vascular injuries when evaluating shoulder dislocations, especially in the elderly patient with a known history of atherosclerotic disease or those with evidence of chronic joint instability. Hard signs of vascular injury including diminished distal pulses are the hallmark of this complication, and should always prompt vascular consultation.