A shearing osteochondral fracture of the humeral head following an anterior shoulder dislocation in a child.

A dislocation of the shoulder joint is rare in children with an open physis. The fractures associated with an anterior dislocation generally reported in the literature have been Hill-Sachs lesions, avulsions of the greater tuberosity and glenoid fractures. We present a case of a previously unreported shearing osteochondral fracture, which is distinct from a classic Hill-Sachs lesion of the humeral head, in 12-year-old boy. The patient suffered a traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation with a spontaneous reduction along with this associated fracture. The fracture subsequently healed with no further evidence of persistent instability.