ANTERIOR SHOULDER INSTABILITY IN WEIGHT LIFTERS

Occult instability is recognized as a major cause of shoulder dysfunct ion in throwing athletes. Few studies have characterized the findings of occult instability in nonthrowers. The purpose of this study was to examine shoulder instability in a group of weight lifters. The sympto ms, physical findings, and results of treatment for 23 shoulders in 20 athletes are presented. All athletes presented with a complaint of pr ogressive inability to perform exercises with the upper extremity in t he abducted, externally rotated position (the ''at-risk'' position) be cause of pain. One hundred percent of the athletes experienced posteri or shoulder pain when the shoulder was placed in forced abduction and external rotation. Thirteen shoulders in 10 patients responded to cons ervative management including aggressive rehabilitation and modificati on of technique to avoid the at-risk position. The other 10 shoulders, which did not respond to conservative treatment, required surgical tr eatment to alleviate the symptoms. All 20 patients have successfully r eturned to their previous weight lifting activities.