Glenohumeral Instability
Introduction to Glenohumeral Instability
Glenohumeral instability is a common problem in the young, athletic patient population, with anterior instability being more common than posterior or multidirectional instability (MDI)66,72,225. The incidence of anterior glenohumeral instability in the United States population is 0.08 per 1,000 person-years175,256. There are certain at-risk populations that have been identified such as collision athletes (football and rugby players)176,256 and military personnel175. Young males participating in sports develop anterior glenohumeral instability at rates as high as 3% per year176,256. The incidence of anterior glenohumeral instability in military personnel, estimated as 1.69 per 1,000 person-years, is even higher than contact athletes175. Less information is available on the incidence of posterior instability and MDI as these forms of instability are comparatively less common. As with anterior instability, posterior instability is more commonly found in the active-duty military population174,219.
