Bilateral posterior fracture dislocation of shoulder after electrocution: A rare case report

Abstract

IntroductionThis is a case report of a bilateral posterior fracture- dislocation of the shoulder after electrical shock to an electrician. At first presentation, the upper limbs of the patient were in a position of internal rotation, and passive and active external rotation of shoulder were painful. Radiographs and computed tomography of both shoulders showed bilateral posterior fracture-dislocation. This case presentation underlines the critical value of systematic clinical and radiographic evaluation of severe bilateral shoulder fracture- dislocations, prior to the ultimate proper treatment followed by appropriate rehabilitation programme, for successful patient outcomes.Materials and MethodsA 40-year-old man, who worked as an electrician, was brought to the emergency department following an electrical shock. Initially, his complaints were pain in both hands, muscle weakness and numbness in both upper limbs.It was on the second day of his hospitalization that he complained of pain in both shoulders and was unable to move them, Shoulder radiographs in the anteroposterior (Fig. 1) showed posterior fracture-dislocations of both shoulders. Computed tomography of both shoulders subsequently (Fig. 2), confirmed bilateral posterior fracture-dislocation of the shoulders with Right side Neer’s three-part fracture with posterior dislocation and left two-part fracture with dislocation.ResultsThe patient was examined at 3 and 6 months post-operatively. At 3 months he had almost normal range of motion of shoulders and at 6 months he had complete functional recovery. Examination of the shoulders revealed stability with normal range of motions. The patient experienced no pain and had returned to his daily work routines.