Symptomatic shoulder instability due to lesions of the glenoid labrum

Abstract

Lesions of the glenoid labrum can be associated with and cause shoulder instability and symptomatology by (1) allowing the shoulder to dislocate recurrently (ana tomical instability); (2) allowing the shoulder to sublux ate (anatomical instability); and (3) allowing the shoulder to click, catch, and lock secondary to partially attached fragments becoming interposed between the articular surfaces (functional instability). The latter two clinical entities are usually associated with "lesser" labral dam age and diagnosis can be difficult. Six illustrative cases are presented and salient diagnostic and therapeutic points are discussed. The glenohumeral axillary arthro tomogram is presented as a sensitive diagnostic test for detecting labral lesions.