Bilateral posterior fracture dislocations of the glenohumeral joint: a suggested treatment algorithm and functional outcome from a case series

Bilateral posterior fracture-dislocation of the gleno-humeral joints are rare injuries which can pose challenges for successful man-agement. The injuries are often overlooked at initial presentation due to low index of suspicion by often inexperienced medical staff. High proportions of these injuries are missed on initial radiographic assessment, leading to late presentation of locked posterior fracture dislocation of the shoulders requiring salvage procedures in an attempt to restore shoulder function.Four patients presented to a large regional hospital with bilateral posterior fracture dislocations of the gleno-humeral joint over a twelve-month period. We present a brief case synopsis for each patient and present functional outcome results for the surviving pa-tients at a minimum of twelve months follow-up. A management algorithm is suggested for those patients that may require surgery.