Simultaneous bilateral posterior fracture dislocation of the shoulders in a young man with unexpected severe vitamin D deficiency

Deborah O’Neill¹, Jagdish R Nair¹, Khalid A Binymin<sup>1,2

1</sup>Rheumatology Unit, Southport General Hospital, Southport, ²Rheumatology Department, Liverpool University, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK

Abstract: Simultaneous bilateral posterior fracture dislocation of the shoulders is a rare clinical presentation. There are three main etiologies described in the literature. Given that it presents with relatively uncharacteristic symptoms, in many cases it is diagnosed late. We present the case of a man who was admitted with bilateral posterior fracture dislocation of the shoulders following a seizure. Investigations revealed severe vitamin D deficiency as the principal contributory factor to his injury. This is an important association because failure to recognize and treat this can result in significant morbidity in susceptible groups.

Keywords: bilateral fracture, dislocation, shoulder, vitamin D deficiency