A 30-year-old male presents to the emergency department after falling on an outstretched hand while playing football. He complains of severe pain and inability to move his right shoulder. On examination, the shoulder appears flattened anteriorly, and the arm is held in slight abduction and external rotation. Which of the following is the most likely type of shoulder dislocation?

Explanation

Anterior shoulder dislocation accounts for over 95% of all shoulder dislocations. It typically occurs due to a fall on an outstretched hand with the arm abducted and externally rotated, or a direct blow to the posterior aspect of the shoulder. The classic clinical presentation includes a flattened deltoid contour, prominence of the acromion, and the arm held in slight abduction and external rotation. Posterior dislocations are much less common and typically present with the arm held in internal rotation and adduction. Inferior and superior dislocations are rare.