Predisposing factors for recurrent shoulder dislocation after arthroscopic treatment

Arthroscopic repair of anterior dislocation of the shoulder can fail. We hypothesized that patients who are at higher risk for redislocation following repair could be recognized preoperatively on the basis of their clinical history. The purpose of the present study was to identify the risk factors for recurrence in a community-based population of patients with traumatic unidirectional instability that was treated with a single arthroscopic technique. METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2003, 625 patients with anterior unidirectional instability were managed with an arthroscopic Bankart technique, and 385 met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Demographic data were collected, and clinical follow-up was performed at three, six, twelve, twenty-four, and thirty-six months. RESULTS: At thirty-six months, thirty-one patients (8.1%) had experienced a redislocation; the rate was 13.3% among patients who were twenty-two years of age and younger and 6.3% among older patients. Age at the time of the first dislocation, male sex, and the time from the first dislocation until surgery were significant risk factors for recurrence (p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who are more likely to have a redislocation following arthroscopic repair of an anterior shoulder dislocation can be identified preoperatively on the basis of sex, age, and the time from the first dislocation to surgery.