Shoulder injuries are likely to occur among those who engage in sports that involve overhead throwing. This movement places significant stress on the shoulder joint, particularly to the structures that keeps it stable. Those who engage in sports with throwing movements endure the repeated stress and can result to various forms of overuse injuries.
Even though the shoulder injuries are common in baseball, it can also occur in other sports that require continuous overhead motions such as tennis, volleyball and some track and field events.
Common shoulder injuries in throwing sports
Rotator cuff tendinitis and tears
Once a muscle or tendon is overstrained, it becomes inflamed. The rotator cuff is often irritated among throwers which results to tendinitis. The initial symptoms include pain radiating from the anterior part of the shoulder up to the side. The pain might be present while throwing or even at rest.
SLAP tears
In a SLAP tear, the upper part of the labrum is damaged. This area is also where the long head of the biceps tendon links to the labrum. This injury occurs both in the anterior and posterior of the attachment point.
The usual symptoms include a locking or catching sensation and pain during certain shoulder movements. In some cases, pain deep inside the shoulder or during certain arm positions can also occur.
Biceps tendinitis
Continuous throwing can cause inflammation and annoy the upper biceps tendon. The common symptoms include pain in the front part of the shoulder and weakness.
In some instances, damage to the tendon due to tendinitis can cause a tear. A torn tendon can result to sharp, abrupt pain in the upper arm. There is even a popping or snapping noise once the tendon tears.
Internal impingement
The rotator cuff tendons at the rear part of the shoulder are pinched in between the humeral head and the glenoid. This results to a partial tearing of the rotator cuff tendon. In some cases, the labrum is damaged which causes part of it to peel away from the glenoid.
Instability
Shoulder instability occurs if the humeral head slides out of the shoulder socket. Once the shoulder is slack and moves out of place repeatedly, it is called chronic instability of the shoulder.
Among those who engage in throwing sports, instability develops gradually for years from repetitive throwing that stretches out the ligaments and causes increased looseness. In case the rotator cuff structures could not control the looseness, the shoulder slips out of the center during throwing. The initial symptoms include pain and diminished throwing velocity.
Quick Note / Disclaimer
The material posted on this page on shoulder injuries is for learning and educational purposes only. To learn to recognize and manage joint injuries including the shoulder, register for a first aid and CPR course with Saskatoon First Aid.