In which direction do the majority of shoulder dislocations occur?

The majority of shoulder dislocations occur in the anterior direction, which is predominantly due to the anatomical structure and mechanics of the shoulder joint. The shoulder, or glenohumeral joint, has a high degree of mobility, allowing for a wide range of motion. However, this mobility also increases its susceptibility to dislocations.

The anterior dislocation typically happens when there is a forceful external rotation or abduction of the arm, such as during sports injuries or falls. When this force exceeds the stabilizing capabilities of the rotator cuff muscles and the joint capsule, the head of the humerus can be pushed out of the shallow glenoid cavity, resulting in an anterior dislocation.

This type of dislocation is more common because the anterior capsule of the shoulder is relatively weaker compared to the posterior aspect. Therefore, when considering the frequency of shoulder dislocations, the anterior direction accounts for a significantly larger proportion compared to other directions, such as posterior, inferior, or superior.