The Anterior Shoulder in the Overhead Athlete: Beyond the SLAP Lesion

As the most mobile joint in the body, the shoulder is prone to both macro- and micro-instability. Throwing a baseball overhead requires a complex synchronization of the anterior and posterior stabilizers of the shoulder. Injuries to the anterior shoulder can be particularly devastating to an overhead athlete because the throwing motion requires significant external rotation and a sudden and powerful transition to internal rotation, to generate force and velocity. Multiple structures in the anterior shoulder are notable when injured in an overhead athlete; these include the subscapularis, the anterior capsule, and the labrum. Injuries can occur on a spectrum, from gradual laxity and microinstability to traumatic laxity and gross instability. This review article review the management of injuries to these commonly injured anterior shoulder structures. Level of Evidence: Expert opinion: Level V.