[Fresh and habitual dislocation of the shoulder joint (author's transl)]

In case of the most common anterior-inferior dislocation of the shoulder joint the humeral head is forced out of the glenoidal cavity and tears the capsule. In about 20% of cases the dislocation is complicated by tears of the rotatory cuff, avulsion fractures and lesions of vessels and nerves. Reduction as soon as possible according to the method of Arlt or Hippokrates is recommended to avoid further damage. X-ray examination in 2 directions is necessary to confirm the position of the head. Clinical examination must be done to detect lesions of nerves or vessels caused by the procedure. In cases of recurrent dislocation a Hill-Sachs lesion and/or a Bankart lesion is responsible for instability of the shoulder joint. The elevation of the margin of the glenoid by autologous bone grafting (Eden-Hybinette, Trillat) and/or the derotation of the humeral head (Weber) reliably avoids redislocation. Except rare infections no severe complications are known. The operative correction of the severe disability should be recommended to all patients suffering from recurrent dislocation of shoulder joint.