Diagnosis and Management of Traumatic Anterior Shoulder Instability

J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2021 Jan 15;29(2):e51-e61. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-20-00202.

Abstract

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 < 13.5%. Bankart repair without adjunct procedures is not recommended in off-track HSLs, regardless of the size of GBL. If GBL is 13.5% to 25% but on-track, adjunct procedures to Bankart repair should be considered (remplissage and inferior capsular shift). Bone block transfer is recommended when 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.

MeSH terms

  • Arthroscopy
  • Humans
  • Joint Instability* / diagnosis
  • Joint Instability* / etiology
  • Joint Instability* / therapy
  • Recurrence
  • Shoulder
  • Shoulder Dislocation* / diagnostic imaging
  • Shoulder Dislocation* / etiology
  • Shoulder Joint* / diagnostic imaging