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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Dislocated shoulders are most common in people between the ages of 18 and 25 because these people tend to have a high level of physical activity. Older adults also are more susceptible to shoulder dislocation because their joints and surrounding ligaments are weaker. In addition, older people tend to fall more frequently, which can increase their risk of a dislocated shoulder.

References
  1. Sherman SC, et al. Shoulder dislocation and reduction. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 8, 2009.
  2. Ronai P. Exercise and shoulder pain. American College of Sports Medicine. http://www.acsm.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Current_Comments1&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=11050. Accessed July 14, 2009.
  3. Uehara DT, et al. Injuries to the shoulder complex and humerus. In: Tintinalli JE, et al. Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2004. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=612479. Accessed July 14, 2009.
  4. Wang RY, et al. Management of the first-time shoulder dislocation in the athlete. In: Wilk KE, et al. The Athlete's Shoulder. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06701-3..50023-2&uniq=149671531&isbn=978-0-443-06701-3&sid=862689477#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06701-3..50023-2%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-443-06701-3. Accessed July 14, 2009.
  5. Dodson CC, et al. Anterior glenohumeral joint dislocations. Orthopedic Clinics of North America. 2008;39:507.
  6. Quillen DM, et al. Acute shoulder injuries. American Family Physician. 2004;70:1947.
  7. Questions and answers about shoulder problems. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Shoulder_Problems/default.asp. Accessed July 14, 2009.

DS00597

Sept. 1, 2009

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