[Unstable painful shoulders (author's transl)]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Athletes frequently experience shoulder pain and instability, often misdiagnosed as tendinitis.
• Undiagnosed recurrent shoulder dislocations can lead to significant disability.
• Radiological evidence of glenoid and humeral deformities suggests underlying instability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between shoulder instability, glenoid deformities, and recurrent dislocations in athletes.
• To evaluate the efficacy of surgical intervention for painful and unstable shoulders in this population.

Main Methods:

• Observation of 23 athletic cases with painful and unstable shoulders.
• Radiological assessment to identify humeral and glenoid deformities.
• Surgical treatment involving anterior glenoid edge grafting.

Main Results:

• Diagnosis was confirmed by radiological findings of glenoid and humeral deformities.
• Surgical grafting of the anterior glenoid edge yielded successful outcomes in most cases.
• Patients experienced relief from pain and instability post-surgery.

Conclusions:

• Glenoid lesions are often a consequence, not the primary cause, of recurrent shoulder dislocations.
• Surgical repair of glenoid deformities is an effective treatment for shoulder instability in athletes.
• Accurate diagnosis through radiological studies is crucial for appropriate management.