Recurrent posterior shoulder instability is an uncommon, debilitating
condition in young adults that is being diagnosed with increasing
frequency.
Although a number of predisposing factors have been identified, their
relative importance remains poorly understood.
Poor results have been reported following operative intervention to treat
recurrent posterior instability with nonanatomic techniques.
The more recent development of lesion-specific surgery has improved
clinical results, particularly when that surgery has been performed
arthroscopically. Operative treatment is therefore being increasingly
recommended at an earlier stage to patients who do not respond to supervised
rehabilitation programs.