Shoulder instability in the young athlete

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Athletic Training

Background:

• Shoulder instability is prevalent in young athletes, often resulting from acute or repetitive trauma.
• Overuse and generalized ligamentous laxity contribute to shoulder instability, particularly in overhead athletes.
• Symptoms in overhead athletes can manifest as impingement or rotator cuff tenderness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the presentation and management of shoulder instability in athletes.
• To highlight the role of rehabilitation and surgical intervention in restoring function.

Main Methods:

• Review of common causes and clinical presentations of shoulder instability in athletes.
• Discussion of conservative (rehabilitation) and surgical treatment options.

Main Results:

• The majority of symptomatic shoulder instability cases in athletes can be effectively managed with rehabilitation.
• Surgical stabilization offers a viable solution for recurrent symptomatic instability unresponsive to conservative care.

Conclusions:

• Rehabilitation is the primary treatment for most athletic shoulder instability.
• Surgical stabilization is indicated for athletes with persistent, symptomatic instability to facilitate return to sport.