Missed posterior fracture-dislocation of the humeral head following an electrocution injury to the arm

AHC Tan
Correspondence: Dr Andrew H C Tan, goothc@sgh.com.sg

ABSTRACT
Posterior dislocation of the shoulder is a rare and commonly missed injury. While prompt diagnosis and treatment is important to prevent untoward sequelae, it is often diagnosed and treated too late. The first reported case of a posterior fracture-dislocation of the humeral head following a domestic electrocution accident in Singapore is described in a 52-year-old man. The injury was missed by several doctors before a humeral head replacement was done. The diagnostic pitfalls and management of this injury and ways to avoid a missed or delayed diagnosis are discussed.

Keywords: electrocution accident, fracture-dislocation, missed dislocation, posterior shoulder dislocation
Singapore Med J 2005; 46(4): 189-192