Robinson recurrence after dislocation

Functional outcome and risk of recurrent instability after primary traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation in young patients.

Robinson CM, Howes J, Murdoch H, et al. The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume 2006 · PMID 17079387 · doi:10.2106/jbjs.e.01327

Question

How often, and in whom, does instability recur after a first-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation in young patients?

Design

Prospective cohort study from a single Edinburgh trauma unit.

Patients

Patients aged 15 to 35 with a primary traumatic anterior glenohumeral dislocation treated non-operatively.

Intervention

Non-operative management after reduction

Comparison

Not applicable (risk factor analysis)

Primary outcome

Recurrent instability over follow-up

Key result

Recurrence was common, mostly within the first two years, and was most strongly associated with young age and male sex.

Limitations

Single-centre cohort with variation in rehabilitation and limited imaging of bone loss.

Impact on practice

Underpins counselling of young, particularly male, patients about high recurrence risk and consideration of early stabilisation.