Acute Versus Delayed Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Associated Abnormalities in Traumatic Anterior Shoulder Dislocations

Background:The delayed management of patients with shoulder instability may increase the prevalence and severity of concomitant intra-articular shoulder injuries resulting from persistent subluxations and dislocations.Hypothesis:Patients with a longer delay from the initial dislocation event to undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or magnetic resonance arthrography will demonstrate more subluxations or dislocations and a greater amount of intra-articular shoulder damage.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:We performed a retrospective review of 89 patients from a single institution with clinically and radiographically confirmed primary traumatic anterior shoulder dislocations. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those undergoing MRI less than 6 months (n = 44; LT6) or greater than 6 months (n = 45; GT6) from the initial dislocation event. The MRI assessment included evaluation of soft tissue injuries, including the labrum, capsule, rotator cuff, and cartilage damage severity alo...