The computerized database of the Israeli Defence Forces Medical Corps monitors recurrent shoulder dislocations before citizens are eligible for military induction, during the years of regular military service, and during the time of eligibility for reserve army service. With the computerized database of the Israeli Defence Forces Medical Corps, between the years of 1978 to 1995 the prevalence rate of subjects with recurrent shoulder dislocations less than or equal to 21 years of age was found to be 19.7 of 10,000 for men and 5.01 of 10,000 for women. The prevalence rate of subjects with a history of shoulder dislocations in the male population between the ages of 22 and 33 years was 42.4 of 10,000. Forty-four percent were judged to be sufficiently unstable to warrant surgery, but only 55% of these actually underwent surgery. These epidemiologic data may be important if arthroscopic shoulder surgery is being considered after a first shoulder dislocation.