Ian J. Dempsey, MD, MBA

Dempsey is at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

Most recent by Ian J. Dempsey, MD, MBA

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January 16, 2019
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A 56-year-old woman with shoulder instability

A 56-year-old right-hand-dominant woman sustained two dislocations to her right shoulder, the first of which occurred about 18 days prior to presentation when she slipped and fell onto her bent arm. The fall resulted in an anterior shoulder dislocation that was reduced at the local ED (Figure 1). Post-reduction radiography was normal, and the patient was discharged in a simple sling (Figure 2). Fourteen days later, when lying in bed, she reached across her body and caused a subsequent dislocation. This dislocation also required a reduction performed at the ED and placement into an abduction sling. Again, post-reduction radiographs were negative for fracture. The patient was initially referred to a nonoperative sports medicine specialist for rehabilitation.