Traumatic anterior dislocation of the shoulder: factors affecting the progress of the traumatic anterior dislocation

The aim of this study was to identify the factors that affect the progress of a traumatic anterior dislocation of the shoulder.

Two hundred and thirty-eight patients (246 shoulders) with a traumatic anterior dislocation were enrolled in this study. The mean age at the time of surgery was 25 years (range, 14 to 47 years). There were 214 men and 24 women.

One hundred and sixty-four shoulders (67%) were younger than 20 years at the time of the first dislocation. Patients younger than 20 years showed a shorter interval of redislocation (p = 0.001) and a higher frequency of dislocation (p = 0.001). Athletic patients experienced their first dislocation at a younger age (p = 0.023) and showed a shorter interval of redislocation (p = 0.001) than their non-athletic counterparts. The incidence of classic and non-classic Bankart lesions was unaffected by age at the time of the first dislocation, interval between the first and second dislocation or the frequency of dislocation. Patients with bony Bankart lesions had a higher frequency of dislocation (p = 0.043).

The age at the time of the first dislocation and athletic activity were related to early redislocation and a high frequency of dislocation. Bony Bankart lesions were observed more often in patients with a higher frequency of dislocation. Early surgical treatment is a good option for young athletic patients with a bony Bankart lesion and a short interval between the first and second dislocation.