title: Posterior shoulder dislocation: avoiding a missed diagnosis.
abstract: Posterior shoulder dislocation is a relatively uncommon event, with an incidence of 1% to 4% of all shoulder dislocations. Because of the infrequency of this condition, the diagnosis is often missed, with significant consequences to the patient Injury in the athlete is usually from a direct blow or fall onto an outstretched arm. After such an injury, symptoms may be confused with a shoulder contusion or rotator cuff injury. Significant complications such as chronic posterior dislocation and degenerative disease of the shoulder can occur if the diagnosis is missed. A careful history and physical examination, complete radiographic evaluation, and a high level of suspicion are required to identify posterior shoulder dislocation. Treatment consists of prompt closed reduction, or operative repair if this is unsuccessful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22906-0014, USA.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Perron
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006688:Hockey / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008349:Manipulation, Orthopedic; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012399:Rotation; D012783:Shoulder Dislocation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy