Abstract

AN UNUSUAL ASSOCIATION OF ORTHOPAEDIC INJURIES OF THE SHOULDER DUE TO PARACHUTE JUMP: AN ANATOMICAL NECK FRACTURE DISLOCATION OF THE HUMERUS CONCOMITANT WITH A HOMOLATERAL CLAVICULAR FRACTURE AND ACROMIOCLAVICULAR JOINT DISLOCATION

Ekono Nna Albert Patrick, Moustapha Etape*, Hamza Kettani, Mamfoumbi Mbadinga Noel Juslin, Tala Medzogo Remy Noel, Paul Koulemou, Badr Chalouah, Azzelarab Bennis, Omar Zaddoug, Mohammed Benchakroun and Salim Bouabid

ABSTRACT

Parachute jumps are essential in military tactics for airborne battalions, enabling rapid infiltration into hostile territories where landing an aircraft would be impractical or impossible. Despite its efficiency, various injuries can occur during parachute training and jumping, with lower limbs being the most commonly affected, followed by the spine and head. Upper limbs, are least affected and shoulder injuries are extremely rare. Soldiers may suffer minor or life-threatening injuries during this exercise, impairing military strategies' effectiveness. The rate of injuries during military parachuting was estimated at 12%, with 2% requiring surgical intervention. In this paper, we report an unusual association of orthopaedic injuries of the shoulder due to parachute jump. The patient sustained an association of closed; anatomical neck fracture dislocation of the right humerus, along with a concomitant
homolateral clavicular fracture and an acromioclavicular joint dislocation. The patient underwent one-stage surgery for treatment and had an uncomplicated post-operative follow-up.

Keywords: Parachutist injuries; paratrooper injuries; proximal humerus fracture; clavicular fracture; acromioclavicular joint dislocation.