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Most dislocations (95%) are in the anterior direction
Dislocations usually are caused by a fall on an outstretched and abducted arm
Posterior dislocations are usually caused by
Falls from a height
Epileptic seizures
Electric shocks
Traumatic shoulder dislocation can lead to instability
Atraumatic shoulder dislocations are usually caused by
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Pain and apprehension with an unstable shoulder that is abducted and externally rotated
Acute traumatic dislocations
Patients with recurrent dislocations can have less pain with subsequent dislocations
Atraumatic shoulder instability
Usually well tolerated with activities of daily living
'Sliding' sensation during exercises or strenuous activities such as throwing
May be less symptomatic
Can often undergo spontaneous reduction, with pain resolving within days after onset
See Table 41–1 for description of the apprehension test, the load and shift test, and O'Brien test
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