Diagnosis and Management of Traumatic Anterior Shoulder Instability

Anterior shoulder instability is the most common form of shoulder instability and is usually because of a traumatic injury. Careful patient selection is key to a favorable outcome. Primary shoulder stabilization should be considered for patients with high risk of recurrence or for elite athletes. Soft-tissue injury to the labrum, capsule, glenohumeral ligament, and rotator cuff influence the outcome. Glenoid bone loss (GBL) and type of bone loss (on-track/off-track) are important factors when recommending treatment strategy. Identification and management of concomitant injuries are paramount. The physician should consider three-dimensional CT reconstructions and magnetic resonance arthrography when concomitant injury is suspected. Good results can be expected after Bankart repair in on-track Hill-Sachs lesions (HSLs) with GBL 20% to 25% or when the HSL is off-track. Fresh tibia allograft or lilac crest autograft are good treatment options after failed bone block procedure.