RECURRENT SHOULDER DISLOCATION: ASPECTS BETWEEN THE FIRST EPISODE AND SURGICAL TREATMENT

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Traumatology

Background:

• Recurrent shoulder dislocations often require surgical intervention.
• Proper patient education on immobilization and follow-up is crucial for managing shoulder instability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess patient orientation regarding immobilization duration and type.
• To determine the number of dislocations before surgical consultation and surgery.
• To evaluate the time to specialist appointment for shoulder surgery.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 61 patients undergoing or awaiting surgery for shoulder dislocations.
• Interviews focused on dislocation history, treatment, and follow-up timelines.
• Data analysis of patient-reported information.

Main Results:

• Only 22% of patients received adequate information on their condition, prognosis, and surgical need.
• No patients were properly informed about the type and duration of necessary immobilization.
• A significant delay exists between dislocation episodes and surgical consultation, with 78% lacking proper guidance.

Conclusions:

• Patients frequently lack essential information about managing shoulder dislocations and the necessity of specialized care.
• Immobilization guidance is inconsistent, ranging from informal slings to manufactured devices.
• Significant delays in specialist appointments (4-6 months) are common, with a high number of dislocations occurring before surgery.