Anterior shoulder dislocation and rotator cuff tears

Abstract

Beginning with Stevens in 1926, several Authors have pointed out the relationship between primary shoulder dislocation and rotator cuff tears in the patient older than 40 years of age. We performed a brief systematic review of the literature to better understand the etiology, prognosis and treatment of these associated lesions. The current limited evidence suggests that patients older than 40 years of age with primary anterior shoulder dislocation may be exposed to a higher incidence of simultaneous rotator cuff lesions and, in such case, could represent a distinct prognostic group. Evidence is not enough to dictate specific therapeutic guidelines.