Lesions in different types of anterior glenohumeral joint dislocation. An experimental study.

Three different kinds of anterior shoulder joint dislocation were studied in an experimental setup including 15 shoulder joint specimens. Lesion to the anterior-inferior part of the capsule was the most frequent finding in anterior dislocation. In anterior-superior dislocation lesions to the anterior-inferior part of the capsule and the posterior part of the cuff were equally prominent. Anterior-inferior dislocation was associated with lesions to all capsular structures including the glenohumeral ligament and both the anterior and posterior part of the cuff. From a clinical point of view, the study indicates that in some types of anterior dislocation a severe lesion of the posterior part of the capsule and cuff must also be considered.