Shoulder deformities from obstetrical brachial plexus paralysis.

Abnormalities are described in the shoulders of 11 patients up to 17 years of age who have chronic brachial plexus paralyses from birth injuries. These abnormalities include a poorly formed and hypoplastic humeral head, a short abnormally formed clavicle, and a hypoplastic elevated scapula with a shallow glenoid fossa, inferiorly directed coracoid process, and abnormally tapered acromion. Four also had subluxated shoulders.