This is the most common type of dislocation of the shoulder. It accurate diagnosis requires 2 radiographs:
The history is often one of a fall on the hand.
On examination, there is a flattening of the deltoid (giving rise to a positive Hamilton's ruler sign), with a bulge visible anteriorly in thinner patients. The axillary nerve supplies sensation over a small area on the lateral aspect of the shoulder (sergeant's stripes area) and this should be tested in any shoulder dislocation injury.
95% of shoulder dislocations are anterior (1).
Reference:
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