Traumatic posterior shoulder dislocation: a case with modification of Gerber procedure for humeral head reconstruction at 10-year follow-up

Abstract

We report a case of acute traumatic posterior shoulder dislocation in a 41-year-old patient, which we treated surgically by a modification of the procedure described by Gerber for humeral head reconstruction in such cases. The diagnosis was confirmed by CT scan, which also helped us to assess the size of the antero-medial humeral head defect or impaction secondary to the dislocation; the size of this defect being a determinant element for the indication. Because the shoulder was unstable after closed reduction and almost 50% of the humeral head was impacted, we carried out a surgical treatment using an original technique as mentioned above. Radiologic and surgical features of acute traumatic posterior shoulder dislocation are discussed with special emphasis on diagnosis, indications and surgical aspects of this rare lesion, which represent 2–4% of acute traumatic shoulder dislocations.