Anterior shoulder dislocation.
BACKGROUND
Anterior dislocation of the shoulder is commonly seen in accident and emergency (A&E) and trauma clinics. In this article, we review the existing literature on the injury and the recent trends in management.


METHODS
We have discussed this condition with our colleagues and performed a Medline search ('anterior shoulder dislocation') of the relevant papers. We also describe key historical publications and recent developments regarding immobilisation of the joint.


RESULTS
Management decisions regarding this condition continue to vary between units, especially for recurrent and posterior dislocation. This paper lays some emphasis on the choice of analgesic agent when attempting shoulder reduction in the A&E setting. A summary of the data from our own department has provided a graphical representation of the classical age and sex distribution for this condition.


CONCLUSIONS
Shoulder dislocation is a common injury. Delays in diagnosis remain the single biggest obstacle to optimum results in this group of patients. A significant proportion will require eventual surgery and up to a third of these patients will go on to develop long-term shoulder arthritis. Even patients who have experienced a single episode of dislocation may go on to develop long-term sequelae.
Cutts
Steven
S
Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire, UK. stevenfrcs@hotmail.com
Prempeh
Mark
M
Drew
Steven
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001366:Axillary Artery / Q000293:injuries; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012783:Shoulder Dislocation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D020196:Trauma, Nervous System / Q000209:etiology
D000700:Analgesics; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives