Voluntary anterior dislocation of the shoulder: case study.

Anterior shoulder dislocation can be willfully produced by a subject through abnormal unbalanced muscle contraction at the shoulder joint. It may be associated with pathologic lesions at the shoulder. Treatment consists of vigorous shoulder strengthening exercises and/or surgery to increase anterior stability at the joint. For any treatment approach to be successful the subject must avoid dislocation of the shoulder. A psychologic component frequently associated with this condition is its use as a mechanism for attention, sympathy or defense--a factor that has a significant negative effect on response to treatment.