UMEM Educational Pearls

Question

25 year-old male falls from 10 feet and lands on his right shoulder, what's the diagnosis?

 

Answer

Yes, the shoulder is dislocated...but did you notice anything else (see below)?

Bankart lesion (a.k.a. fracture of the glenoid fossa)

  • Fractures of the glenoid fossa occur when the humeral head collides with the glenoid margin by a laterally directed force.
  • Although less than 10% of glenoid fossa fractures result in significant displacement, surgical repair is indicated if:
    • Fracture displacement >10mm
    • >33% involvement of posterior glenoid fossa
    • >25% involvement of anterior glenoid fossa
    • Persistent humeral head subluxation

References

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