Atypical Shoulder Instability Patterns in Adolescents Following Traumatic Anterior Shoulder Dislocation

Background: Traumatic anterior shoulder instability is common in the adolescent athlete, and when it is untreated, the recurrence rate is high. Atypical lesions—such as anterior glenoid periosteal sleeve, humeral glenohumeral ligament, and insertional tendon avulsions—may occur within this population, and accurate diagnosis and appropriate lesion management are key to treatment success. Purpose: To evaluate the age, skeletal immaturity, bone loss, and uncommon soft tissue lesions as correlates of posttraumatic anterior shoulder instability lesion patterns in an adolescent population. Study Design: Cross-sectional study, Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Consecutive patients ≤18 years of age (160 shoulders) treated within a single institution for traumatic anterior shoulder instability between June 2013 and June 2021 were reviewed. Demographics, injury mechanism, radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging of lesions, the presence of any bone loss, operative findings, and physeal status were recorded. An overall 131 shoulders met the inclusion criteria. Instability lesion type was analyzed categorically by age