Posterior dislocation and fracture-dislocation of the shoulder.

Two cases of posterior dislocation (PD) and four cases of posterior fracture-dislocation (PFD) of the shoulder are reported. There was one bilateral PD and two bilateral PFD. One PD was treated with closed reduction but in three cases of PFD operative reduction was necessary. All measures were applied in the late phase within 1 to 10 months after the injury with good primary results. However, because of posttraumatic arthrosis, the final result was poor. The average follow-up period was 4 years. The diagnosis of posterior dislocation is often missed. An axillary X-ray is essential.