Resolution of Glenohumeral Pseudo-Subluxation: An Illustrative Case Report on Relative Clinical Success in Pan-Brachial Plexus Injury.

Abstract

Brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) are burdensome to patients. These often involve the axillary nerve, which may lead to pseudo-subluxation of the humeral head because of deltoid atony. While advances in nerve reconstruction have improved outcomes, these procedures still have markedly high failure rates, which may lead to persistent pain, dysfunction and poor satisfaction. We present a case of a 51-year-old male with a traumatic BPI in the context of a motorcycle accident who experienced pseudo-subluxation of his humeral head and later underwent surgical reconstruction for his BPI. Despite a lack of improvement in deltoid functional strength, the pseudo-subluxation resolved, and the patient's pain decreased. This may suggest benefits to surgical reinnervation of the deltoid, even if recovery of strength is not achieved. Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic).