Recurrent shoulder dislocation
- Chronic/recurrent dislocation of the shoulder, also called chronic shoulder instability
- Etiology
- Untreated or poorly treated previous trauma
- Most common cause
- After one traumatic dislocation the joint capsule is torn, which predisposes to recurrent dislocation
- After a dislocated shoulder has been reduced, further dislocations must be prevented by immobilizing the shoulder
- Immobilizing allows the joint capsule to heal back to its normal and tight position
- No immobilization causes the joint capsule to heal into a looser position
- Dysplasia (underdevelopment of the glenoid fossa)
- Voluntary dislocation
- Due to psychiatric problems
- Untreated or poorly treated previous trauma
- Types according to direction
- Antero-inferior dislocation (most common)
- Posterior dislocation
- Mostly only occurs in epilepsy or electric shock, especially if bilateral
- Treatment of recurrent dislocation
- Surgical stabilization