title: A prospective arthroscopic study of acute first-time anterior shoulder dislocation in the young: a five-year follow-up study.
abstract: A prospective arthroscopic study was conducted on 31 patients with an acute first-time anterior shoulder dislocation (AFASD). The patients were aged between 16 and 39 years. The mean age was 24 years. None had a history of shoulder problems. All were evaluated after 1, 2, and 5 years. The Constant score, Rowe score, recurrence rate, and instability rate were evaluated, as well as patient satisfaction and sports participation. We conclude that after a prolonged follow-up, an increase in the instability rate in young patients with AFASD may become apparent. The overall instability rate was 55% (17/31) after 5-year follow-up. In patients aged younger than 18 years the instability rate was 71% (5/7). Age was the only predictive factor in shoulder instability. The mean Rowe score was 87 (range, 57-100; SD, 14). Three patients had undergone a stabilization operation at the 5-year follow-up. The intraarticular pathology found at arthroscopy was not predictive of shoulder instability. We could not find a correlation between sporting activities and shoulder instability. On the basis of our results, it appears unlikely that arthroscopic lavage reduces redislocation rates after AFASD in the young patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumology, Reinier de Graaf Hospital, Delft, The Netherlands. rlteslaa@wanadoo.nl
authors.forename: Ron L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: te Slaa
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.forename: Rene K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Marti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000209:etiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012783:Shoulder Dislocation / Q000601:surgery*