In two patients, muscular elderly men, a type of comminuted fracture-dislocation of the shoulder occurred. These fracture-dislocations appeared to be due to severe violence which shattered the bone, weakened by senile atrophy, along lines between muscle insertions, and to a secondary disruption of bone by muscle pull. The patients were treated by primary excision of the fragments, followed by immobilization of the humerus on an abduction splint for several weeks. In this way, a short and strong fibrous union was obtained, giving a painless and useful arm.