Recurrent posterior dislocation of the shoulder

Abstract

Acute posterior dislocations of the shoulder are uncommon. Recommended surgical treatments for recurrent posterior dislocation include soft-tissue advancement, posterior glenoid osteotomy, rotational osteotomy of the humerus, and posterior bone block. The posterior bone-block procedure successfully prevented recurrent dislocation in our series of five patients. The patients ranged in age from seventeen to forty-four years, and have been followed for two and one-half to eight years. All returned to unrestricted activity and recreational sports. The complications included a later anterior dislocation of the shoulder in one patient and an unsightly scar requiring revision in two patients. There were no complaints of pain. Radiographs showed decreased density of the bone block in two patients, but graft resorption did not occur.