What is anterior instability?

Anterior shoulder instability, also known as anterior glenohumeral instability, is a condition in which damage to the soft tissues or bone causes the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) to dislocate or sublux from the glenoid fossa, compromising the function of the shoulder.

What causes anterior instability?

Humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligaments is also a cause of anterior shoulder instability. During an anterior dislocation, the posterolateral aspect of the humeral head contacts the anteroinferior rim of the glenoid, often resulting in a Hill Sachs defect.

How do you fix shoulder instability?

Applying cold packs or ice bags to the shoulder before and after exercise can help reduce the pain and swelling. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which include aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, etc.) or ibuprofen-like drugs like Aleve can be used to reduce pain and swelling.

What are the signs and symptoms of anterior instability?

Signs and symptoms for anterior shoulder instability: Anterior instability accounts for 95% of acute traumatic dislocations. Dead-arm syndrome indicates pathologic anterior instability. It occurs when the arm is in an abducted and externally rotated position.

Which is more common anterior or posterior shoulder instability?

Anterior shoulder instability is an injury to the shoulder joint so that the upper arm is displaced from its normal position in glenoid and the joint surfaces no longer contact each other. Anterior shoulder dislocations are much more common than posterior dislocations.

How many patients with anterior instability have anterior dislocation?

This defect has been observed in up to 80% of patients with initial anterior dislocation and in 100% of patients with recurrent anterior instability.

Can a humeral avulsion cause anterior shoulder instability?

Characteristics/Clinical Presentation. Humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligaments is also a cause of anterior shoulder instability.. During an anterior dislocation, the posterolateral aspect of the humeral head contacts the anteroinferior rim of the glenoid, often resulting in a Hill-Sachs defect.