The computerized database of the Israeli Defence Forces Medical Corps monit
ors recurrent shoulder dislocations before citizens are eligible for milita
ry induction, during the years of regular military service, and during the
time of eligibility for reserve army service. With the computerized databas
e of the Israeli Defence Forces Medical Corps, between the years of 1978 to
1995 the prevalence rate of subjects with recurrent shoulder dislocations
less than or equal to 21 years of age was found to be 19.7 of 10,000 for me
n and 5.01 of 10,000 For women. The prevalence rate of subjects with a hist
ory of shoulder dislocations in the male population between the ages of 22
and 33 years was 42.4 of 10,000. Forty-four percent were judged to be suffi
ciently unstable to warrant surgery, but only 55% of these actually underwe
nt surgery. These epidemiologic data may be important if arthroscopic shoul
der surgery is being considered after a first shoulder dislocation.