Researchers have different opinions on this topic. Some suggest that older adults are more likely to dislocate the shoulder or break the arm in a fall. Others identify an increased occurrence of shoulder dislocation in patients between the ages of 12 and 16. A third group of researchers did a study of 241 people with shoulder dislocations. People ages 13 to 86 reported shoulder dislocations. Age didn't make a difference in the occurrence of the injury.

However, age can predict whether shoulder dislocation will occur a second time. People between the ages of 21 and 30 who are actively engaged in high-risk sports or activities are the most likely to have another dislocation of the injured shoulder.