First time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation: Will it always result in recurrent shoulder dislocation in all patients?

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of recurrent shoulder dislocation after first time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation treated non operatively. Study Design: Prospective observational cohort study. Setting: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. Period: 25th May 2011 to 25th December 2018. Material & Methods: Patients of all ages and both gender with first time. Traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study. In the included subjects shoulder joint was relocated under general anesthesia and immobilized in a poly sling for four weeks followed by supervised physiotherapy and rehabilitation program without any surgical stabilization of the shoulder joint. All these patients were instructed for follow up at monthly interval or before if recurrence occurred. Results: A total of 52 patients with mean age 35±9.4 years (range 16-55 years) were enrolled in our study. Male patients were 43(82.6%) while female patients were 9(17.3%). Right sided dislocation was noted in 38(73%) and left in 14(26.9%). Recurrent shoulder dislocation was reported in 32(61.5%) patients during a minimal follow up period of three years. Most (46.8%, n=15) of the patients with recurrent shoulder dislocation were 30 years of age or below. Conclusion: First time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation treated non operatively not always result in recurrent shoulder dislocation in all patients. However a large number of patients and particularly younger patients suffered recurrence.