Specialized Toolkit Series: Shoulder Instability-Management of In-Season Shoulder Instability: Weight the Risks!

Management of In-Season Shoulder Instability: Weight the Risks!

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The discussion addresses managing in-season shoulder instability in athletes, weighing risks of immediate return versus delayed treatment. Shoulder dislocations are relatively uncommon but serious, especially in high-risk contact sports. Early surgical repair, particularly after the first dislocation, reduces failure rates and bone loss. Treatment decisions must consider patient goals, sport demands, injury severity, and compliance. Non-operative measures like bracing offer limited benefit and can mask ongoing issues. Returning athletes too quickly risks recurrent instability and long-term damage. Physicians must balance short-term career pressures against long-term joint health and communicate openly with patients to ensure proper care timing.

Asset Caption

Shariff K. Bishai, D.O., M.S., FAANA

Keywords

shoulder instability

athlete injury management

early surgical repair

non-operative treatment

return-to-play risks