An undiagnosed bilateral anterior shoulder dislocation after a seizure: a case report

Abstract

Introduction: Late diagnoses of orthopaedic injuries after epileptic crisis are a matter of concern. The rarity of correlation between seizure and specific trauma incidences such as bilateral anterior shoulder dislocation, may lead to improper estimation of the patient's clinical state, wrong treatment and unpleasant complications. Case presentation: We report the rare case of an undiagnosed bilateral anterior shoulder dislocation in an epileptic young man of 25 years of age. The way of treatment is described as well as the treating alterations, if needed, because of the 3 weeks delay from injury. The article focuses on the reasons of the non-diagnosis at the first place and proposes a possible explanation for the mechanism of the injury. This is the second documented case of a missed bilateral anterior shoulder dislocation following a seizure and the first one that was treated not earlier than 3 weeks post injury. Conclusion: Although not a matter of routine, the high importance of radiographic control after seizure, in case of suspicion, is concluded. The etiology causing the injury shall not disorientate the doctors from the possible diagnoses.