Shoulder & Elbow Dislocations: NEET PG High-Yield
Trauma & Orthopedics: Acute Management
1. Shoulder Dislocation
| Type | Key High-Yield Facts |
|---|---|
| Anterior (Most Common) | Caused by abduction/external rotation. Associated with Bankart lesion (labrum) and Hill-Sachs lesion (humeral head). Check Axillary nerve status. |
| Posterior | “Lightbulb sign” on AP X-ray. Classic associations: Seizures, electric shock, and trauma. |
2. Elbow Dislocation
- Posterior Dislocation: Most common elbow dislocation (usually from fall on outstretched hand).
- The “Terrible Triad”: Radial head fracture + Coronoid fracture + Elbow dislocation. High instability and poor prognosis.
- Neurological Concern: Always test the Ulnar nerve (most common nerve injury in elbow dislocation).
- Vascular Concern: Check the Brachial artery status.
3. NEET PG Exam Pearls
- Shoulder Reduction: Kocher’s maneuver (use caution—risk of humeral fracture), Stimson’s technique, or Milch technique.
- Elbow Reduction: Immediate reduction is mandatory. If the elbow is locked, evaluate for entrapped medial epicondyle (common in children).
- Imaging: Post-reduction X-rays are non-negotiable to confirm anatomical alignment and rule out associated occult fractures.