Luxatio erecta bilateral: um relato de caso

inferior shoulder dislocation (luxactio erecta) is a rare lesion affecting approximately 0.5% of dislocations of this joint. the vast majority of these cases occur unilaterally. in september 2004, a 43 year old man was brought to the emergency room of the university hospital of santa maria (husm) complaining of bilateral shoulder pain and inability to lower the arms, as a result of a fall with the arms abducted, while carrying out work activities. after physical examination and radiological exams, it was found that the patient had a bilateral inferior shoulder dislocation. he was referred to the surgical ward and after intravenous sedation, both shoulders were reduced by closed reduction using the traction-countertraction maneuver. the patient was discharged the day after the reduction. both arms were immobilized with a velpeau sling in total adduction and intrarotation, with instructions to maintain immobilization for three weeks. the patient was also advised to receive physiotherapy.