Atraumatic connected posteroinferior shoulder luxation in a child

We report a rare case of recurrent atraumatic posterior-inferior dislocatio n of the shoulder in an eight year old girl. After closed reduction of the locked dislocation and conservative treatment three further dislocations oc cured. Because of the recurrence of locked dislocations and functional impa irment arthroscopy including partial synovectomy was performed. Postoperati ve rehabilitation included the use of a brace in handshake position for six weeks and strengthening exercises. Within a clinical followup of 24 months the shoulder remained stable withou t loss of function but atraumatic posterior-inferior dislocation of the con tralateral shoulder occured. The bilateral involvement indicates a predispo sing factor, predominantly gross capsular laxity, of this rare form of inst ability.