Shoulder instability in the athlete.

Glenohumeral instability in the athlete represents a spectrum of disorders, which has been recognized and treated with increasing frequency. The first challenge for a clinician treating an athlete with shoulder instability is recognition and understanding of the instability pattern. The second challenge is to make the right therapeutic decision that will enable the athlete to return to his or her previous level of function with the shortest possible period of disability. Although most patients can be managed nonoperatively, arthroscopic and open stabilization are good options when these procedures are warranted.