en Special Special Original Research Original Research <p><strong> Abstract</strong> </p><p> <strong>Background:</strong> Chronic neglected dislocation of the shoulder joint can be defined  as a neglected dislocation for more than a 3 week period. However, it has been shown that the negligence could range from a 24 hour period to 6 months1. Depending on age, signs, symptoms, etiology and types of dislocation, conservative treatment or surgical intervention could be considered. </p><p> <strong>Methods:</strong> In this study, 16 patients (13 were male and 3 were female) were treated with chronic shoulder dislocations, 3 of which had bilateral dislocations. The age of this group ranged from 13-65 years with a mean age of 34 years. These patients were treated by closed or open reduction, either anterior, posterior or both approaches. Of 19 dislocations, 6 were anterior unilateral, 7 posterior unilateral, 1 anterior bilateral and 2 posterior bilateral dislocations. The mean period between dislocations and treatments was 3 months (from 4 weeks to 11 months), and the mean follow up period was 40 months (from 21 months to 5 years). </p><p> <strong>Results:</strong> This study has shown that treatment varies according to pathology. In  this study the mean size of head defects was 35% and the extent of severity determined the approach. Findings at the last follow up were assessed according to Rowe and Zarins score and of the 19 shoulders assessed, 9 showed good and 10 showed excellent results. There was no recurrence of the dislocation in any patient. </p><p> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> In some selected instances, open reduction of a chronic locked neglected shoulder dislocation of a 6 months period or more in young patients is recommended.This method is, however, contraindicated in elderly patients in such cases a shoulder prosthesis is indicated. </p><p>  </p> locked neglected anterior or posterior dislocation, closed or open reduction, shoulder prosthesis 111 119 http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Ali Akbar Khorsandi alikhorsandi@yahoo.com. 20031947532846001629 20031947532846001629 Yes Shafa Yahyaian Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Morteza Nakhaei Amroodi 20031947532846001630 20031947532846001630 No Shafa Yahyaian Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Maziar Khorsandi 20031947532846001631 20031947532846001631 No Syawash Mirsaid Ghazi 20031947532846001632 20031947532846001632 No Shafa Yahyaian Hospital.