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Glenohumeral Dislocation, Anterior, Sports Medicine

Kamel Azhar, MD, MAS and Johnnie Faircloth, MD, CAQSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Humeral head is displaced anteriorly beyond the glenoid fossa due to external rotation while arm is in abduction 1,2,3.

  • Sometimes (less commonly) caused by direct contact to the poste...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Often occurs after a fall on the outstretched arm or with reaching (making a tackle) and having arm forcibly abducted 1[A]

  • First time event versus recurrence (may affect ease of reduct...

TREATMENT

  • Analgesia often not needed if reduction is performed immediately after dislocation 1,2[A],3,4[C].

  • Verbal coaching to relax the patient is helpful.

  • Analgesic and benzodiazepine medications may ...

ONGOING CARE

  • Little data exist as to when it is safe for an athlete to return to play after sustaining a dislocation 2[A],4[C].

  • Most experts would recommend waiting until athlete has full range of moti...

REFERENCES

1
Alkaduhimi H, van der Linde JA, Flipsen M, et al. A systematic and technical guide on how to reduce a shoulder dislocation. Turk J Emerg Med.  2016;16(4):155–168.
2
Eljabu W, Klinger HM...

ADDITIONAL READING

Dodson CC, Cordasco FA. Anterior glenohumeral joint dislocations. Orthop Clin North Am.  2008;39(4):507–518. 

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • TUBS usually responds better to surgical fixation.

  • AMBRI: rehabilitation for 3 to 6 mo or more (patient needs to perform exercises independently), if fails, prolonged exercise program m...

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