Shoulder Case 12 Background

Inferior shoulder dislocations are very rare and are estimated to make up just 0.5% of all shoulder dislocations.

Luxatio Erectae are almost always traumatic, and most frequently following a fall.

These injuries are important to recognize due to the higher association with other limb threatening injuries than typical anterior shoulder dislocations:

• About 40% of inferior shoulder dislocations are associated with a proximal humerus fracture.
• Neurologic injury is seen in 30% of these patients.
• Vascular injury occurs in about 10% of patients, with almost all injuries being to the axillary artery.