Dislocations occur more often in the shoulder than anywhere else in the body. Most shoulder dislocations happen from trauma such as a motor vehicle accident, assault, or athletic injury.

Studies have shown a high recurrence rate in some individuals. A future dislocation of the injured shoulder occurs in 90 percent of young, athletic patients. Austrian doctors found that adults between the ages of 21 and 30 who play high-risk sports have the highest rate of recurrence.