Unusual dislocations of the shoulder

Erect (luxatio erecta) and superior glenohumeral dislocations are extremely uncommon. In luxatio erecta, the humeral head is subglenoid or subcoracoid just as in the more common anterior dislocation, but the shaft of the humerus is parallel to the spine of the scapula, not parallel to the chest wall as seen in the anterior type. Superior dislocations have the humeral head overlying the acromion or the clavicle on the anteroposterior radiograph. Radiographic findings in seven cases are presented and some of the associated complications are discussed.