Proximal humerus fracture dislocation leading to axillary artery injury in an young adult: Case report of an unusual presentation

Proximal humerus fractures constitute five percent of all fracture cases. Though rare, severely comminuted proximal humerus fractures can cause injury to neurovascular structure. Majority of these injuries reported in literature were in elderly age group from low velocity injury owing to loss of elasticity of vessel wall. We report a case of proximal humerus fracture dislocation associated with axillary artery injury in a young male due to fall of heavy iron object. Timely exploration and removal of impinging bone fragment restored the blood supply. The purpose of this report is to heighten the clinical suspicion of the vascular injury in patients with proximal humerus fracture dislocations in all age groups.