RT Journal
A1 Arciero, Lieutenant Colonel Robert A.
A1 Taylor, Lieutenant Colonel Dean C.
A1 Hovelius, L.
A1 Augustini, B. G.
A1 Fredin, H.
A1 Johansson, O.
A1 Norlin, R.
A1 Thorling, J.
T1 Correspondence
JF The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
JO The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
YR 1998
FD February 1
VO 80
IS 2
SP 299
OP 300
DO 
UL http://dx.doi.org/
AB 
    First, we commend the authors for this ten-year follow-up evaluation of 247 primary anterior dislocations. It is unparalleled with regard to duration of follow-up. At first glance, the rates of 48 per cent for overall recurrence, 23 per cent for recurrence necessitating operative stabilization, and 20 per cent for dislocation arthropathy appear to be reasonable long-term results. Certainly, a 48 per cent rate of recurrence in young patients appears much lower than the reported rates of 65 to 95 per cent1-6. The authors concluded that after a primary glenohumeral dislocation the prognosis "is not as devastating as was previously believed." We believe that this conclusion is substantially overstated.