Neuro-orthopedic management of shoulder deformity and dysfunction in brain-injured patients: a novel approach.

Shoulder problems are common in patients with traumatic brain injury. Very little has been written about the evaluation and neuro-orthopedic management of these problems. This is largely because there have not been surgical treatments available other than release of contracted, nonfunctional shoulders. Shoulder problems can be classified and evaluated using several different strategies: bony versus soft tissue restrictions; static versus dynamic deformities; traumatic injuries versus impairments secondary to weakness and spasticity; or problems of active function versus problems of passive function. Regardless of the classification system employed a systematic approach to evaluation and treatment is essential. Shoulder impairments can be corrected leading to significant improvement in functional outcomes. In this paper we report on the novel evaluation and surgical management options developed in our program for the most common shoulder problems encountered in patients with traumatic brain injury.