Quote Originally Posted by chances R View Post
Long time Ortho PA. ABC is a reasonable possibility. Common location and typical appearance. While the bullet fragmented, it wouldn't produce that kind of bony void. Looks like impact was more in the anatomical neck and shattered the glenoid as well. Abduction splint may give better alignment and like most ABCs the trauma may induce more healing. The problem will be the loss of motion and probable fusion of the glenoid with the humerus. Interesting to be able to follow progress, but can see a reverse total joint after initial healing.
Quote Originally Posted by EzGoingKev View Post
Would you please provide us with a medical cliff notes for dummies on that?
Ok. The large dark area in the upper arm bone (humerus) does not appear to be of normal structure/consistancy, hence probable a cyst inside the bone (ABC) which is not unusual. There are two primary breaks in the bone. One is in the shaft of the bone and with multiple small fragments around that same area. It is bent or angulated. Will still heal most likely, but not in perfect position. There are also breaks at what looks to be the primary point of impact at the 'ball' of the shoulder joint. Also several fragments and it looks like the 'cup' or glenoid that articulates with the ball is also broken. The breaks around the joint may actually fuse together during the healing process. Of course all is subject to what medical care is available, along with luck, good and bad. Here in the good USA still a terrible injury, worse without advanced care. Concern for infection, poor alignment, not healing at all, amputation, etc. Interesting from my side of the table, terrible from the patients side. At some point a joint replacement would probably be the best end result. Just discussing and thinking out loud.