Reflex muscle contraction in anterior shoulder instability

Reduced proprioception may contribute to recurrent anterior shoulder instability. Twelve patients with unilateral shoulder instability were investigated for evidence of deficient proprioception with an activated pneumatic cylinder and surface electromyography electrodes; the contralateral normal shoulder was used as a control. The latency between onset of movement and the detection of muscle contraction was used as an index of proprioception. No significant difference in muscle contraction latency was detected between the stable and unstable shoulders, suggesting that there was no significant defect in muscular reflex activity. This study does not support the use of proprioception-enhancing physiotherapy in the treatment of posttraumatic anterior shoulder instability. (J Shoulder Elbow Surg 1997;6:150-5.)