Shoulder instability

Overhead sports, such as baseball, softball, volleyball, and swimming, are dependent on the shoulder for performance skills specific to each sport. Both the sport and the training for the sport can contribute to injury and instability. Collision and contact sports such as football, ice hockey, and wrestling injure the shoulder through direct and indirect contact. Acute shoulder injury frequently leads to instability. The purpose of this discussion is to familiarize the clinician with shoulder instability and offer recommendations for treatment to optimize the athlete's return to practice and play.