[Shoulder dislocations in elderly patients]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Geriatric Medicine
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Anterior shoulder dislocation in the elderly differs from younger patients, frequently presenting with rotator cuff tears, fractures, and nerve involvement.
• Prompt evaluation and management are crucial for functional recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the distinct characteristics of anterior shoulder dislocation in the elderly.
• To discuss optimal diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, including conservative and surgical options.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on elderly shoulder dislocations.
• Analysis of concomitant injuries and treatment outcomes.
• Discussion of surgical interventions like rotator cuff repair and reverse shoulder prosthesis.

Main Results:

• Elderly patients often present with complex injuries, including rotator cuff tears and fractures.
• Conservative management is the primary approach, but surgical intervention may be necessary for persistent symptoms.
• Reconstructive surgery or reverse shoulder prosthesis can be effective in select cases.

Conclusions:

• Accurate assessment of structural shoulder injuries is vital for elderly patients with anterior dislocation.
• Treatment should be individualized, considering rotator cuff integrity and patient factors.
• A combination of physiotherapy, conservative care, and surgical options can optimize functional recovery.