Anterior shoulder instability with humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament lesion

Humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament (HAGL) is a rare lesion. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical manifestations of HAGL lesions in patients who underwent operative treatment for anterior shoulder instability. Six patients with HAGL lesions were studied. Four patients had an HAGL lesion associated with a Bankart lesion, and two had an isolated HAGL lesion. The range of motion at final follow-up showed a loss of 1° in forward flexion and of 15° in external rotation. During an operation to treat anterior shoulder instability, a thorough examination for not only Bankart lesions but also other associated lesions, including an HAGL lesion, should be considered to lower the risk of redislocation. In repairing an HAGL lesion, the surgeon should keep in mind the possibility of a postoperative loss of external rotation and follow an active rehabilitation protocol to obtain successful results.