Instability of the shoulder and elbow

The shoulder and elbow are the two joints in the upper extremity in which instability is a common clinical problem. Our knowledge of the static anatomic and dynamic stabilizing factors continues to develop through basic science research. Clinically, the importance of a careful physical examination is also stressed. Surgical treatments for instability have focused on an anatomic approach, in which knowledge of patholaxities directs the surgical technique. We present a discussion of the recently published literature on shoulder and elbow instability.