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Posterior Shoulder Instability in the Young Patient

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Shoulder Instability Across the Life Span

Abstract

Posterior shoulder instability is an increasingly recognized and treated shoulder problem. First described by McLaughlin in 1952 [1], posterior shoulder instability has historically been missed and more often treated nonoperatively compared to anterior instability. While it is far less common than anterior instability, only 2–10 % of all reported cases of instability [1–3], posterior shoulder instability is increasingly recognized as a problem in athletes and in posttraumatic settings. More comprehensive imaging modalities and expanded treatment options, especially with the development and application of arthroscopic techniques, have brought this problem into the forefront among athletic injuries of the shoulder. Posterior instability can occur after singular events or can be chronic in nature. For example, overhead athletes can develop pathologic progression of subtle instability that results in inability to participate. Traumatic dislocations can result in labral tears and glenoid fractures, mirroring those of anterior injuries. Posterior instability more commonly responds to nonoperative treatment with physical therapy, but surgical options are increasingly reported. Outcomes published in the literature are excellent, though most series contain small groups of patients. Return to play in athletes of all types is good, and many reach their prior level of performance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at the Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY, USA

    Diana C. Patterson

  2. Leni and Peter May Department of Orthopedics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY, USA

    Leesa M. Galatz (Mount Sinai Professor and Chair)

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  1. Diana C. Patterson
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Correspondence to Leesa M. Galatz .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic, Sports Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany

    Andreas B. Imhoff

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Tulane University School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

    Felix H. Savoie III

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Patterson, D.C., Galatz, L.M. (2017). Posterior Shoulder Instability in the Young Patient. In: Imhoff, A., Savoie III, F. (eds) Shoulder Instability Across the Life Span. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-54077-0_5

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