Shoulder dislocations in patients over 40 years of age are common and are f
requently associated with serious injuries to adjacent structures. Associat
ed injuries such as brachial plexus injury, rotator cuff tear, axillary art
ery injury, fractures about the shoulder, and recurrent dislocation can mak
e shoulder dislocations challenging problems for the clinician. Early diagn
osis and treatment of associated injuries and treatment complications are t
he mainstays in prevention of morbidity and, even, mortality.