Treatment strategy of traumatic posterior dislocation of shoulder joint with concomitant reverse Hill-Sachs lesion of the humeral head

Abstract

Objective To explore the treatment strategy for traumatic posterior dislocation of shoulder joint with concomitant reverse Hill-Sachs lesion on the humeral head. Methods Data of 8 consecutive traumatic posterior shoulder dislocations with concomitant compression on anteromedial portion of the affected humeral heads (reverse Hill-Sachs lesion), which resulted from the collision between the posterior rim of the glenoid and anterior portion of the humeral head, who had undergone treatment in our department since July 2015 to June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Seven males and 1 female have been included in the case series, with the age between 30-70 years (mean 44.5±12.3 years), 6 on the right shoulder and 2 on the left. 7 were acute injuries and 1 chronic. One patient received closed reduction under brachial plexus block anesthesia, and the rest cases underwent open surgeries. Modified Judet approach was performed in one case due to the concomitant fracture on the postero-inferior glenoid. The other 6 patients received modified delto-pectoral approach. 4 concomitant rotator cuffswere found during the procedures, including1 full thickness tears 3 partial. One patient received McLaughlin surgery, allograft and anchor suture fixation. 2 underwent cannulated screw fixation. Allograft and PHILOS fixation was placed on 4 cases. All 8 patients were required maintaining in mild abduction and external rotation the affected arms, with the protection of the casts. All patients were followed up for 20.6±8.4 months (range, 9-36 months). Constant-Murley scores and visual analogue score (VAS) were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes at the latest follow-up. Results Infection occurred in 1 case, the humeral head has been resected subsequently and antibiotic cement spacer was inserted for further arthroplasty. Necrosis of the humeral head has been observed in one CT follow up 9 months after surgery, with no limitation of the range of motion of the shoulder. Stage 1 wound closure and bony union were witnessed on the rest 6 patients. No neuromuscular injures or re-dislocations on the affected shoulders was found. The range of motion of the affected shoulder has been recorded at the latest follow-up: 123.8°±30.1° (90°-180°) in flexion, 124.4°±34.2° (80°-180°) in abduction, 36.9°±20.9° (0°-70°) in external (neutral position), 58.8°±10.9° (50°-80°) in internal rotation (neutral position) and 83.5±12.1 (70-95) in Constant-Murley score. Among the 8 patients, 7 patients were at the rank of VAS 0-3, and 1 of 4-6. Conclusion Optimal treatment options should be chosen based on the humeral head defect status, in case of traumatic posterior shoulder dislocation with concomitant reverse Hill-Sachs lesion. Closed reduction can be tried on < 20% humeral head defect with the help of anesthesia, and surgical option is the optimal one for the defect between 20%-40%. Key words: Shoulder joint; Shoulder dislocation; Wounds and injuries