"Shoulder instability is most common in the young athletic population bringing a focus to how these injuries are best treated. Research presented today at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicines AOSSM http Annual Meeting in Colorado Springs CO demonstrated that surgery after a firsttime shoulder dislocation lowered the reinjury risks and need for followup surgery when compared to those who were initially treated nonoperatively and experienced a repeat dislocation prior to surgery. The study examined  patients at an average of  months postsurgery. Of this group  patients had experienced their first dislocation while  had recurrent dislocations after being initially treated nonoperatively. After treatment with an arthroscopic bankart repair the postoperative dislocation rate in the firsttime injury group was  compared to  in those who did not have surgery after their initial injury. The average age of patients was  years old. Deciding between a nonoperative program or going forward with surgery can be a challenging decision for medical professionals treating shoulder injuries in young athletes noted the studys lead author Tyler J. Marshall MD from Alabama Ortho Spine and Sports in Birmingham AL. However this study shows a substantial benefit for athletes undergoing surgery to prevent recurrent instability down the road. The research data was collected between  and  from eight fellowship trained surgical practices with patient ages ranging from  to  years old. Surveys given to patients during followups asked for information such as test for shoulder functionality whether patients returned to sport postoperative instability events and if further surgery was required on the shoulder. While young athletes and parents may be wary of surgery our study shows the advantages of this treatment approach commented Marshall. Physicians should counsel those with first time injuries on these benefits moving forward.  The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine AOSSM is a global leader in orthopaedic sports medicine education research communication and fellowship and includes national and international sports medicine leaders. The Society works closely with many other sports medicine specialists including athletic trainers physical therapists family physicians and others to improve the identification prevention treatment and rehabilitation of sports injuries. AOSSM is also a founding partner of the STOP Sports Injuries http campaign to prevent overuse and traumatic injuries in kids"