Recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder - A rational approach to therapy

Abstract

A retrospective analysis of 53 cases of recurrent dislocation of the shoulder was undertaken to improve our understanding of the pathoanatomy of this condition. Based on the clinical and operative findings, recurrent dislocation could be classified into primary or secondary. 'Primary' recurrent dislocation occurs in a normal shoulder and requires a significant amount of trauma for the initial dislocation, whereas 'secondary' recurrent dislocation is initiated by a minimal amount of trauma and it is felt that the shoulder is basically unstable in these cases. The 'primary' dislocation if immobilised for 4 weeks should reduce the chances of recurrence whereas the 'secondary' dislocation should have early surgery as immobilisation for any length of time is unlikely to affect the outcome.