[Shoulder instability. Classification and treatment]

Shoulder instability includes different degrees of instability from painful hyperlaxity to subluxation to dislocation. Different classifications of shoulder instability have been created in order to facilitate decision making for treatment. None of these, however, has gained acceptance. Subject to the indications, shoulder instability can be treated conservatively or surgically after repositioning the acute dislocation. A survey of arthroscopic and open stabilization procedures and their results are given in relation to the indications.