[Septic arthritis as an initial manifestation of a bacterial endocarditis]. / Septische Arthritis als Manifestation einer floriden Endokarditis.

Septic arthritis due to endocarditis is a rare and life-threatening disease. Endocarditis occurs with an incidence of 30 patients per 1 million citizens/year. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common causative pathogens. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can lead to a severe outcome with a high mortality rate, and embolic complications of the kidney, brain, and spleen are seen in one third of all cases. The diagnosis and treatment of endocarditis is a challenge for all health care providers. We report about a patient who was admitted to our hospital with generalized sepsis of unknown origin.

Migration pattern of cementless press fit cups in the presence of stabilizing screws in total hip arthroplasty.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the initial acetabular implant stability and late acetabular implant migration in press fit cups combined with screw fixation of the acetabular component in order to answer the question whether screws are necessary for the fixation of the acetabular component in cementless primary total hip arthroplasty. One hundred and seven hips were available for follow-up after primary THA using a cementless, porous-coated acetabular component. A total of 631 standardized radiographs were analyzed digitally by the "single-film-x-ray-analysis" method (EBRA). One hundred and one (94.4 %) acetabular components did not show significant migration of more than 1 mm. Six (5.6%) implants showed migration of more than 1 mm. Statistical analysis did not reveal preoperative patterns that would identify predictors for future migration. Our findings suggest that the use of screw fixation for cementless porous-coated acetabular components for primary THA does not prevent cup migration.

[Association between allergy to benzoyl peroxide, vitiligo and implantation of a cemented total knee joint prosthesis: Is there a connection?]. / Assoziation zwischen Benzoylperoxidallergie, Vitiligo und Implantation einer zementierten Knieprothese: Ein Zusammenhang?

Allergies against bone cement or bone cement components have been well-described. We report on a 63-year-old patient who presented with progressive vitiligo all over the body after implantation of a cemented total knee replacement. A dermatological examination was performed and an allergy to benzoyl peroxide was found. A low-grade infection was diagnosed 5 months after implantation of the total knee replacement and the prosthesis was replaced with a cement spacer. After treating the infection of the knee replacement non-cemented arthrodesis of the knee was performed. In cases of new, unknown skin efflorescence, urticaria and periprosthetic loosening of cemented joint replacement, the differential diagnosis should include not only infections but also possible allergies against bone-cement and components such as benzoyl peroxide or metal components.

[Spine fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: an analysis of 129 fractures after surgical treatment]. / Wirbelsäulenfraktur bei ankylosierender Spondylitis : Eine Analyse von 129 Frakturen nach operativer Versorgung.

INTRODUCTION: The ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a systemic rheumatic disease, which affects the skeleton, joints and internal organs. Attributed to the augmented rigidity of the spine and the concomitant impairment of compensatory mechanism minor force might cause spine fractures. Multilevel stabilization and dorsoventral instrumentation is a well - established procedure. This study was to evaluate the surgical outcome of 119 patients with AS associated spine fractures. METHODS: From 07/96 to 01/10, 119 patients with 129 spine fractures due to AS were treated in our department. Data were collected retrospectively. In all patients the operative treatment of the fracture was either performed by ventral and/or dorsal spondylodesis. RESULTS: The median age was 67 years (37-95). There were 51 cervical, 55 thoracic and 23 lumbar spine fractures. On initial presentation no fractures in 18 patients (15%) and stable fractures in 15 patients (13%) were detected, which further secondarily dislocated. Thus, in 28% of the patients the injury was assessed falsely. 47% of the fractures were preceded by a trivial trauma in domestic surrounding. 61 patients (51%) developed either an incomplete or a complete paraplegia. In 32 patients ventral instrumentation, in 82 patients dorsal and in 15 patients dorsoventral instrumentation were performed. 14% developed postoperative wound infection an in 15% revision surgery due to implant loosening or insufficient stabilization was required. CONCLUSION: Early diagnostic of AS associated spine fractures using conventional radiographs and computed tomography scans is important for the detection and adequate treatment. A great amount of spine fractures are obviously either under diagnosed or underestimated, initially. A secondary dislocation of the fracture might result in severe neurological complications up to paraplegia.

[Endoprosthetics of the radial column after trauma]. / Endoprothetischer ersatz des radialen pfeilers nach trauma.

Non-displaced fractures of the radius head are in most cases treated conservatively. Open reduction and anatomical internal fixation of displaced radius head fractures is the method of choice. In comminuted fractures of the radius head (Mason type III and type IV) replacement with a radius head prosthesis achieves joint stability and prevents secondary complications, such as valgus elbow deformity and proximal radial migration. Modern anatomically formed prostheses show promising results in the medium-term view. Typical complications after radius head replacement are limited range of motion in the elbow joint, arthritis of the capitulum and heterotopic ossifications. In cases of capitulum arthritis, capitulum prostheses were developed to resurface the lateral compartment of the elbow joint. Short-term results are encouraging with improvements in pain and range of movement.

[Salvage procedures of the elbow. Alternatives to elbow arthroplasty]. / Salvage procedures am ellenbogen. Alternativen zur ellenbogenendoprothetik.

Destructive changes of the elbow joint represent a challenge for both patient and surgeon. Resection arthroplasty is associated with postoperative instability and loss of power and is a rarely performed procedure. Interpositional arthroplasty remains a useful option for healthy active patients with severe post-traumatic elbow arthrosis and is one of the oldest methods used to reconstruct the elbow. The principle of interpositional arthroplasty is based on a sparing resection of the destroyed joint surface and on creating a congruent elbow joint with human tissue. Nowadays, autogenous dermis, fascia lata or Achilles allograft are used. A preoperatively stable elbow is required to prevent instability following interpositional arthroplasty. The use of total elbow arthroplasty is limited due to the contraindications and in such cases the only remaining options are salvage procedures of the elbow. In general, arthrodesis should be performed in patients with painful osteoarthritis of the elbow with high demands on the upper extremities. Historically, tuberculosis was the most common indication for elbow arthrodesis and various methods of elbow arthrodesis have been described. However, most attention has been given to the position in which the elbow joint should be fixed and should be decided depending on the individual characteristics of the patient. Sufficient bone stock is crucial for a successful elbow arthrodesis and in cases with massive bone loss reconstruction of the elbow using an allograft can be performed to restore bone quality. However, the high complication rate of this procedure limits the scope of its use. Nevertheless, allograft procedures can restore pain-free joint function for several years.

The undiagnosed Essex-Lopresti injury.

The Essex-Lopresti injury is rare. It consists of fracture of the head of the radius, rupture of the interosseous membrane and disruption of the distal radioulnar joint. The injury is often missed because attention is directed towards the fracture of the head of the radius. We present a series of 12 patients with a mean age of 44.9 years (26 to 54), 11 of whom were treated surgically at a mean of 4.6 months (1 to 16) after injury and the other after 18 years. They were followed up for a mean of 29.2 months (2 to 69). Ten patients had additional injuries to the forearm or wrist, which made diagnosis more difficult. Replacement of the head of the radius was carried out in ten patients and the Sauve-Kapandji procedure in three. Patients were assessed using standard outcome scores. The mean post-operative Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 55 (37 to 83), the mean Morrey Elbow Performance score was 72.2 (39 to 92) and the mean Mayo wrist score was 61.3 (35 to 80). The mean grip strength was 68.5% (39.6% to 91.3%) of the unaffected wrist. Most of the patients (10 of 12) were satisfied with their operation and in 11 the pain was relieved. When treating the chronic Essex-Lopresti injury, we recommend accurate realignment of the radius and ulna and replacement of the head of the radius. If this fails a Sauve-Kapandji procedure to arthrodese the distal radioulnar joint should be undertaken to stabilise the forearm while maintaining mobility.

[Immobilization in external rotation after primary shoulder dislocation]. / Ruhigstellung in Aussenrotation bei primärer Schulterluxation.

INTRODUCTION: The standard method of treating acute primary dislocation of the glenohumeral joint is immobilization of the arm in adduction and internal rotation with a sling. The recurrence rate for anterior instability after nonoperative treatment in young active patients is extremely high (up to 90%) and well reported. A new method of immobilization with the arm in external rotation improves the position of the displaced labrum on the glenoid rim. With the use of control MRI before and after immobilization in external rotation, a study on this new repositioning of the labrum is evaluated. METHODS: Ten patients (mean age 30.4 years) with primary anterior dislocation of the shoulder and Bankart lesion as shown on MRI but with no hyperlaxity of the contralateral side were immobilized in 10-20 degrees of external rotation for 3 weeks. Scans with MRI were taken in internal and external shoulder rotation post trauma and in internal rotation after 6 weeks. All patients were reevaluated after 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Dislocation and separation of the labrum were both significantly less with the arm in external rotation due to the tension of the anterior capsule and the tendon of the subscapularis muscle. In the MRI taken in internal rotation 6 weeks post trauma, all Bankart lesions were fixed in reposition after three weeks of immobilization in external rotation. At 12-month follow-up, the average Constant Score was 96.1 points (range 63-100), and the Rowe Score was 91.5 points (range 25-100). One patient had traumatic redislocation after 8 months. CONCLUSION: After primary shoulder dislocation, immobilizing the arm in 10-20 degrees external rotation provided stable fixation of the Bankart lesion in an anatomic position. First long-term indications from an ongoing prospective study of recurrence rates after immobilization in external rotation are promising.

[Avascular necrosis of the capitate in athletes]. / Die avaskuläre Kapitatumnekrose bei Sportlern.

The possibility of osteonecrosis of the carpal bones should always be considered when athletes present with pain of unknown origin in the hand and wrist, in particular, if they are participating in sports such as gymnastics or weight-lifting that involve extreme loading of the wrist with axial compression and microtrauma. This sort of extreme loading of the wrist combined with a constitutionally "weak" blood supply to the individual carpal bones may lead to the formation of osteo-necrotic zones. A treatment method that can produce excellent results, depending on the pathomorphology, is available in the form of vascularized bone grafting.

[Thoracic injuries associated with acute traumatic paraplegia of the upper and middle thoracic spine]. / Die Akutbehandlung der traumatischen Brustmarklähmung Wird das Thoraxtrauma übersehen oder unterschätzt?

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse the number of thoracic injuries associated with acute traumatic paraplegia of the upper and middle thoracic spine and review the early management in respect to treatment standards. METHODS: Using a prospective study protocol, data were sampled and analyzed from 12 December 2000 to 31 March 2002 at a level 1 trauma center. RESULTS: Twenty-two consecutive patients were included in the study. Sixteen suffered severe chest traumata. Lung contusion was diagnosed in 81%, followed by haemopneumothorax (75%) and fracture of the bony chest (75%). Intubation was performed 12 times in all. Chest drainage was performed in 14 patients. The mean duration of artificial ventilation was 20 days (range 2-93) and of intensive care treatment 25 days (range 2-93). Five patients died. CONCLUSIONS: Acute traumatic paraplegia of the upper and middle thoracic spine caused by high energy trauma is highly associated with severe chest trauma. Therefore, respiratory impairment must be kept in mind during the early treatment. If respiratory failure becomes more evident, emergency procedures such as intubation and chest drainage have to be performed. Secondary transfer should be avoided.

[Infantile spondylolysis with spina bifida occulta in athletes]. / Infantile Spondylolyse mit Spina bifida occulta beim Leistungssportler.

Children with evidenced spondylolysis of the lumbar spine should not practice sport with axial compression strain forces or carry out hyperextensional or rotational movements exercises up to the age of eight to ten years, as this could lead to considerable shearing strain to the still cartilaginous disposition of the vertebral arch and therefore initiate an ossification with resulting incomplete closure of the bony elements of the spine (spina bifida occulta). The associated instability of the dorsal vertebral column may yield spondylolisthesis requiring surgical intervention. Competitive sport should be avoided if possible, or carried out in close collaboration with a coach and a physiotherapist under continuous medical supervision with regular radiological monitoring.

[Treatment of heterotopic ossification after spinal cord injury - clinical outcome after single-dose radiation therapy]. / Therapie der heterotopen Ossifikation bei frischem Rückenmarkstrauma - Klinisches Outcome nach einmaliger Radiatio.

INTRODUCTION: Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a common and serious complication after spinal cord injury, with an incidence of 5-50 %. Single-dose radiation therapy with 7 Gy is an established procedure for HO prophylaxis after total hip replacement. The aim of our study was to determine the clinical outcome after single-dose radiation therapy in the prophylaxis of HO in paraplegic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2006 and July 2009, 75 paraplegic patients with heterotopic ossification were treated in our hospital. On the basis of the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 62 patients were included in our study, whereas 55 patients participated in our follow-up examination. All patients received a bi-weekly ultrasound of the hip for an attempt at early diagnosis of the condition. In case of an ultrasound suspicion of HO, a computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the hip was performed. After confirmation of HO, a single-dose radiation therapy with 7 Gy was performed. In group A, the patients were irradiated with an electrode voltage of 15 MeV (36 patients) and in group B with 6 MeV (26 patients). All patients were assessed with a standardised questionnaire with a mean follow-up of 30.6 months (range 6-78 months). RESULTS: The mean interval time between the initial spinal injury and HO development was 58,2 days (range 14-125). 69,4 % of all patients revealed a Brooker grade I, 27.4 % grade II and 3.2 % a grade III. No cases of Brooker grade IV (ankylosis) occurred. No patient showed side-effects after radiation therapy. However, in group A one patient (3,2 %) and in group B three patients (12.5 %) developed HO relapse. Those patients were treated again with a single-dose radiation therapy with 7 Gy and 15 MeV and, afterwards, they were free of complaints. Deep vein thrombosis was confirmed in 11 patients (32.3 %) in group A and in 8 patients (33.3 %) in group B. CONCLUSIONS: Single-dose radiation therapy with 7 Gy in the treatment of heterotopic ossification is an effective option. A higher electrode voltage improves the effectiveness of the irradiation and the clinical outcome. Essential for the outcome is the early detection and treatment of HO with single-dose radiation therapy. Randomised, prospective studies should be undertaken in order to confirm these findings.

[Paraplegia after isolated rupture of the spinal cord - a rare injury]. / Querschnittslähmung nach isolierter Rückenmarksruptur - eine seltene Verletzung.

INTRODUCTION: Complex vertebral fractures can lead to injury of the spinal cord with resulting paraplegia. High-speed accidents are common causes, especially in younger patients. Malignant or inflammatory processes play an important role in the elderly. Less common reasons for a spinal cord injury are congenital malformations. We here report about a 17-year-old patient who suffered from paraplegia after an isolated rupture of the spinal cord without an injury of the vertebral bodies, intervertebral disc or ligamentous structures. This type of injury has not been reported in the literature before. PATIENT AND METHOD: We report about a 17-year-old patient, referred to our hospital, presenting with lumbal paraplegia after a high-speed accident 8 days prior to admission. After initial stabilisation of the polytraumatised patient, he was referred to our hospital for further treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The radiological examination showed a bilateral acetabular fracture, a right anterior pelvic ring fracture and shaft fractures of the left humerus and right femur. Furthermore, the spinal cord at thoracic level 10/11 was ruptured. Interestingly, there was no injury of the vertebral bodies, intervertebral disc or ligamentous structures. A tethered cord as a possible anatomic variation could be excluded in this case by MRI. However, anatomic variations could be the reason for this injury and should be kept in mind.

[Distal intraarticular humerus fracture in the elderly: prosthesis or osteosynthesis?]. / Distale intraartikuläre Humerusfraktur beim älteren Patienten: Endoprothese oder Osteosynthese?

AIM: The distal intraarticular fracture of the humerus, even in elderly patients, was treated so far with internal osteosynthesis. Due to the poor bone stock, in association with a complex fracture site, the achieved results may be disappointing. The use of an elbow joint prosthesis may be a solution for these specific problems in elderly patients as long as one takes the features of the prosthesis into account. METHOD: Eleven patients with a mean age of 77 years were followed up for 12 months after implantation of an elbow joint replacement. In the other group we examined 15 patients (average age 73 years) after internal fixation for 20 months. Apart from radiological inspection, we applied the Mayo Elbow Score and documented all complications. RESULTS: There were only type B or C fracture sites in this study. The applied osteosynthesis ranged from the classical bilateral plating with osteotomy of the olecranon to minimal invasive screwing or K-wire pinning with additional postoperative immobilisation. The averaged range of motion amounted to 57 degrees in the osteosynthesis group, compared with 89 degrees in the prosthesis group. In 8 cases we used the semiconstrained Coonrad-Morrey system, and 3 times a hemiprosthetic replacement of the fractured condyles by the Latitude prosthesis. The Mayo score of the group after prosthetic replacement reached 91 compared to merely 77 points in the group after osteosynthesis. After osteosynthesis we saw several major complications, including in 4 cases a partial implant failure with consecutive loss of reposition, 1 case of heterotopic ossification and 1 incomplete sensitive N. ulnaris disorder. CONCLUSION: We recommend osteosynthetic management of type B fractures. The appropriate treatment of C-type fractures remains demanding and leads in cases of reduction malalignment with supportive immobilisation to poor results. Here the primarily implanted elbow prosthesis provides a safe solution for a painfree, stable and mobile joint.

[A new vascularized cartilague-bone-graft for scaphoid nonunion with avascular necrosis of the proximal pole. Description of a new type of surgical procedure]. / Freies gefässgestieltes Knorpel-Knochen-Transplantat bei avaskulärer Nekrose des proximalen Kahnbeinpols. Beschreibung eines neuartigen Operationsverfahrens.

The formation of a scaphoid pseudarthrosis with avascular necrosis in the area of the carpus is a The formation of a scaphoid pseudarthrosis with avascular necrosis in the area of the carpus is a dreaded complication after conservative or operative treatment of a scaphoid bone fracture, which previously often led to partial or total stiffening operations on the wrist. Vascularized bone grafts can be used to increase the bone fusion rates in the presence of scaphoid pseudarthrosis with avascular necrosis. On a note of caution, it must be mentioned, though, that such a procedure in the presence of avascular necrosis of the proximal pole with destruction of cartilage can lead to premature radiocarpal arthritis, because a friction-free gliding in the area of the proximal scaphoid pole is no longer ensured as a result of the lacking cartilage cover.We confronted these problems in a 20-year-old male patient with avascular necrosis of the proximal scaphoid bone pole and destruction of the corresponding scaphoidal cartilage cover. We transplanted a free vascularized cartilage-bone graft from the medial femoral condyle, which was adapted in form and size to the proximal scaphoid bone pole with corresponding cartilage cover and was connected to the radial vascular bundle. This novel operation technique is described in this report and appears to be a promising way of avoiding premature radiocarpal arthritis when treating scaphoid bone pseudo-arthrosis with avascular necrosis in the presence of cartilage destruction.

[Lateral tibial head fracture and avulsion fracture of the tibial tuberosity: a rare combination of injuries]. / Laterale Tibiakopffraktur mit Abrissfraktur der Tuberositas tibiae : Eine seltene Verletzungskombination.

The rare combination of a lateral tibial head fracture and an avulsion fracture of the tibial tuberosity requires treatment that differs from the therapy of the single occurrence of each of these injuries. Especially postsurgical treatment is not yet standardized. We report about the history of disease in a patient who had a work-related accident in which he suffered trauma during passive knee flexion in combination with an active extension of the quadriceps femoris muscle. We performed a multimodal osteosynthesis followed by postsurgical treatment which is different from the postoperative treatment for the individual injuries: immobilization of the knee joint with a thigh splint for 6 weeks, isometric physical therapy, and prohibition of movement in the knee for 4 weeks. This therapy appears to be an effective and successful approach for this combination of injuries, where no standardized treatment has been established yet.

A primarily overlooked and incorrectly treated Essex-Lopresti injury: what can this lead to?

INTRODUCTION: What result can one expect in treating an Essex-Lopresti lesion--a rare complex combination injury of the forearm consisting of a radial head fracture and a rupture of the interosseous membrane--which failed to be identified at first? MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report on a 45-year-old poly traumatized patient in which a primary Essex-Lopresti injury was overlooked following a dislocated radial head fracture. A radial head resection followed by an ulna-shortening osteotomy was performed with disastrous consequences at another clinic. As a result of persistent instability in the distal radioulnar joint, we implanted a mono-polar radial head prosthesis, which was subsequently changed as a result of a loosening of the prosthesis and persistent complex instability and pain in the area of the entire forearm, while an ulna osteotomy had to be carried out to correct this. This prosthesis also loosened, which destroyed the capitulum humeri. RESULTS: It was only after a specially designed modular radial head prosthesis with a capitulum shield was implanted and an elapse of 5(1/2) years of the illness that permanent stability could be achieved on the forearm and the pain experienced by the patient eliminated while at the same time the patient regained a moderate degree of functioning and grip strength. CONCLUSION: An overlooked primary and ultimately initially incorrectly treated Essex-Lopresti injury can degenerate into a real therapeutic disaster. THE RESULT: Years of illness and multiple corrective operations which only serve to limit the collateral damage caused by the wrong therapy strategy and ultimately only lead to restoration of moderate function. The crucial factor is an early diagnosis. Then a radial head prosthesis should first be implanted in an operation in order to prevent an additional proximal migration of the radius and to move the distal radioulnar joint into the proper anatomical position.

[Reduction of glenoid rim fractures after primary shoulder dislocation in external rotation]. / Indirekte Reposition und Retention der Bankart-Fraktur in Aussenrotation.

The treatment of anterior glenoid rim fractures depends on the size of the fracture and the articular surface involved. The operative treatment is open or arthroscopic refixation. In cases with small fragments and a stable shoulder nonoperative treatment is recommended. In patients with a primary shoulder dislocation immobilization in external rotation has been showed to improve the position of the displaced labrum on the glenoid rim. However, whether external rotation can reduce displaced glenoid rim fractures is not known. With the use of CT the repositioning of a glenoid rim fracture in a single patient in external rotation is evaluated.A 26-year-old patient with an anterior glenoid rim fracture after a primary shoulder dislocation was referred to our shoulder service. After initial reduction a CT scan in internal and external rotation of the involved shoulder was performed. In the external rotation CT the glenoid rim fracture was reduced in anatomic position. The patient was immobilized in a 30 degrees external rotation brace for 4 weeks. Six weeks after trauma the internal rotation CT showed the fracture healed in the anatomic position. At the 1-year follow-up the Constant Score and the Rowe Score were 100 points each. In patients with anterior glenoid rim fractures immobilization of the shoulder in external rotation seems to allow a reduction of the fracture. A study with a large number of patients is under way to evaluate long-term results.

[Proximal humeral fractures with angle-stable plate osteosynthesis--is everything better now?]. / Operative und klinische Erfahrungen mit winkelstabilen Implantaten bei proximalen Humerusfrakturen--Wirklich alles besser?

BACKGROUND: Proximal humeral fractures are common in the elderly as distribution peaks in the 6th and 7th decade. Optimal operative strategy regarding complex proximal humeral fractures is still being discussed controversely. Aim of the study was to evaluate implant associated problems of angle-stable implants in comparison to other established osteosynthetic methods. METHODS: 198 patients with proximal humeral fractures were treated operatively from 2000 to 2004 in our department with a primary angle-stable plate osteosynthesis. 166 patients (98 females and 68 males) were followed up. Retrospectively we characterized the fractures type by using the NEER-classification and assessed the functional results with the CONSTANT-score (CS). RESULTS: Overall the average score was 73,4+/-20 points (range 22-94 points) compared to the non-affected side (90,8+/-8 points (46-100 points)). Patients with anatomical reduction of the fracture showed significant better results in the CS (p<0,05). Compared with other osteosynthetic methods, the use of angle-stable plate osteosynthesis showed no better functional results in the end. In 10,8% a humeral head necrosis occurred. 36 patients (21,6%) revealed a secondary loss of reduction with dislocation of the locking screws, regardless the angle-stable fixation. In 14 cases operative revision was necessary. CONCLUSIONS: Using angle-stable implants in the operative treatment of complex proximal humeral fractures good results can be achieved in most cases. Nevertheless, in comparison to alternative operative solutions, the results do not show significant better functional outcome. Important for good functional outcome was an exact anatomical reduction as a material independent variable rather than the decision to use more expensive angle-stable implants. Those, who can fulfil such surgical demands, achieve similar results for the patient, even without using angle-stable implants.

[Severe complications after percutaneous transaxillary refixation of a glenoid rim fracture]. / Schwerwiegende Komplikation nach perkutan-transaxillärer Verschraubung einer Glenoidfraktur.

The common treatment for glenoid rim fractures has been open reduction and internal fixation by a deltopectoral approach. Minimally invasive procedures with percutaneous transaxillary manipulation have a high risk for neurovascular damage. In a single case we demonstrate the possible complications associated with percutaneous refixation of a glenoid rim fracture. A 34-year-old patient with an anterior glenoid rim fracture was referred to our shoulder service after percutaneous transaxillary fixation of the fracture of the glenoid. He presented a dislocated fracture with joint infection and damage of the axillary nerve and artery. During revision surgery, joint infection with Staphylococcus aureus, dislocation of the fracture, aneurysm of the axillary artery, and a lesion in continuity of the axillary nerve were diagnosed. The fragment was excised and the capsule reattached to the remaining glenoid rim. The aneurysm was resected with an end-to-end anastomosis. The outcome was a noninfected and stable shoulder with a limited range of motion. In patients with a glenoid rim fracture with more then 21% of the glenoid fossa involved, refixation of the fracture is recommended. Open reduction and internal fixation is the gold standard. In some cases arthroscopic repair is possible. Percutaneous transaxillary manipulation is not recommended.