To summarise a clinical characteristics analysis in recurrent shoulder dislocation among military personnel in Southwest China.

According to International Classification of Diseases Code ICD-10, medical record system of the 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force was searched, from 1st January, 2010 to 31st December, 2019, for the patients with recurrent shoulder dislocation. The included keywords extracted from diagnosis were: shoulder dislocation, recurrent shoulder dislocation, Bankart lesion, injury of the superior labrum anterior and posterior (SLAP) and glenoid labrum lesion. Clinical characteristics of the patients with recurrent shoulder dislocation were collected, including gender, age, first dislocation time, side of dislocation, method of primary treatment, number and cause of dislocation, type of dislocation, occupation, combined injury, surgical treatment and method of rehabilitation. The generally used assessment scores for shoulder before surgery and at the last follow-up were compared by paired t test.

A total of 815 patients who suffered recurrent shoulder dislocation, with a male to female ratio at 6.1 ∶1.0. Majority of patient was under 30 years of age (77.3%). There was a 0.9 ∶1 ratio for left and right dislocation. The anterior shoulder dislocation was the most common dislocation (98.2%). The most common cause of shoulder dislocation was 400m obstacles course training (32.5%), followed by training falls and collisions (23.9%). Most of the patients received a conservative treatment for the first dislocation. Almost all the patients were suffered other injuries of shoulder. Comparing with shoulder conditions before surgery, the scores of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) rating scale and Rowe shoulder function scale were significantly improved at the final follow-up, and the difference was statistically significant (t=12.470, 42.804, both P<0.05).

Recurrent shoulder dislocation among servicemen in Southwest China is common in young men under 30 years old. It is mainly caused by 400 m obstacles training, falling and overhead throwing. An anterior dislocation is the main type of shoulder dislocation, and it often combines with other shoulder injuries. Surgical treatment is effective for shoulder dislocation.