Prognosis

Shoulder dislocation

• The incidence of recurrent instability for patients under 25 years of age, treated non-operatively with or without sling immobilisation, ranges from 50% to 95%. [25] [52] [53] In one study, patients with concurrent fractures of the greater tuberosity had an 8% recurrence rate, and immobilisation did not change the prognosis. [25] The presence of Hill-Sachs lesions and bony Bankart's lesions has also been reported to be associated with increased recurrence. [54]

Finger dislocation

• Prognosis is negatively affected by the presence of concurrent fractures, irreducible dislocations, open injuries, and/or ligamentous or tendon injuries.

Patellar dislocation

• Evidence regarding prognosis of patellar dislocation is highly variable. The risk of recurrence after an acute dislocation, whether treated operatively or non-operatively, has been estimated to range from 25% to 71% of patients. However, even with recurrent dislocations, approximately 75% of patients report good to excellent results with non-operative treatment. [55] [56] [57]

Elbow dislocation

• Generally, elbow dislocation without associated fracture has a favourable prognosis when treated by closed reduction, and instability with stiffness is relatively rare. [14] [47] [48] [49] With early range of motion, most patients regain normal function of the affected extremity. [50] Several studies have shown better outcomes with early mobilisation than with immobilisation in patients with simple dislocations.

• Patients with concurrent fractures, particularly of the coronoid process and radial head, require surgical correction to stabilise the elbow. Even after operative intervention, functional outcomes are moderate to poor in more than 50% of patients with complex dislocations. [58]