Bony changes of the glenoid as a consequence of shoulder instability

Among 500 skeletons of mature individuals, 27 showed signs of shoulder instability as indicated by the presence of a glenoid rim avulsion fracture, a bony Bankart lesion, with an anterior or posterior Hill-Sachs defect. Twenty-two of these glenoid lesions were anterior, and five were posterior. This is a higher prevalence than reported in clinical studies. With few exceptions the pathologic changes in the bony glenoid were well circumscribed and not found in conjunction with diffuse arthritic changes. These findings do not support prophylactic shoulder stabilization to avoid the development of arthritic changes of a generalized and major degree.