Unperceived First-Time Anterior Shoulder Subluxation: The Role of MRI in Detection and Characterization of Pathoanatomy

Anterior shoulder instability is not always recognized by patients, and initial physical examination may be limited in the acute setting. MRI findings of unrecognized first-time subluxations were similar to those of typical subluxations and showed less severe HS morphology than in dislocations. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion in young patients presenting with traumatic shoulder pain, even in the absence of perceived instability.