Posterior Shoulder Instability in Overhead Athletes

Abstract

Posterior shoulder instability in overhead athletes presents a unique and difficult challenge. Often, this group has an inherent capsular laxity and/or humeral retroversion to accommodate the range of motion necessary to throw. This adaptation makes the diagnosis of posterior capsulolabral pathology challenging, as the examiner must differentiate between adaptive capsular laxity and pathologic instability. Further complicating matters, the intraoperative surgeon must find the delicate balance of achieving stability while still allowing the necessary range of motion.

Keywords: Arthroscopic posterior capsulolabral reconstruction; Overhead athletes; Posterior shoulder instability; Surgical technique; Throwers; Zone-specific repair.