RECURRENT SHOULDER DISLOCATION: ASPECTS BETWEEN THE FIRST EPISODE AND SURGICAL TREATMENT

Objective: To determine: 1) whether the patients had been oriented to use immobilization for at least four weeks and which type of immobilization was prescribed, 2) how many dislocations occurred until the patient received information about the need of surgery, 3) How long it takes for patients to have an appointment with a shoulder surgeon, 4) How many dislocations the patient had at the time of surgery. Material and Methods: Of the 100 patients surgically treated or waiting for surgery at outpatient facilities, we interviewed 61 patients with questions related to the mechanism of dislocation, emergency service sites, guidelines for acute event treatment and follow-up, time elapsed until surgery and follow-up. Collected data were submitted to analysis. Results: Only 13 patients (22%) had received correct information about their lesion, prognosis concerning recurrence, and about the need of surgery and expert follow-up in recurrent cases. None of our patients received proper information about type and duration of immobilization. Conclusion: None of our patients had received proper orientation to remain immobilized for four weeks, and the types of immobilization vary from a handmade sling to a manufactured Velpeau. Most of our patients (78%) did not receive proper orientation about specialized follow-up and surgery after their second episode of dislocation. The time for a specialized appointment with shoulder surgeon ranges from four to six months, with 1-100 dislocation episodes at the moment of surgery.