Overhead Throwing Can Cause Shoulder Injuries

Repetitive motions can cause overuse injuries in joints and permanent damage. For example, a new study on college baseball players finds that repetitive throwing overhead can cause overuse shoulder injuries and season-ending rotator cuff damage.

What Is the Rotator Cuff?

A rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that control the movement of the shoulder. Throwing overhead can cause the rotator cuff tendons to compress through the joint and eventually cause shoulder pain. This condition can advance to acute tendonitis.

Baseball Players Are Prone to Rotator Cuff Injuries

Baseball is a physically demanding sport and can cause muscle strains, shoulder instability, labral tears, thrower’s elbow and rotator cuff injuries. Daniel A. Charen, MD, a resident in the department of orthopedic surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, examined shoulder injury data from male baseball players using the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program. Of the 138 shoulder injuries, 51.4% occurred during practice. Almost half of the injuries included damage to the rotator cuff.

The study also found that:

• 100% of players had rotator cuff tendonitis
• 87.5% had SLAP (superior labrum from anterior to posterior) tears
• 70% of players had biceps tendinitis
• 67% of players with rotator cuff tears had a mechanism of injury of pitching or throwing.

This study is the first that looks at the distribution of shoulder injuries in college baseball players. “Although much research has been performed regarding strengthening and conditioning, pitch counts and throwing mechanics, this study demonstrates there is still a high rate of shoulder injuries in repetitive overhead throwers and the need to refine and develop new injury prevention strategies,” said Charen (Healio)

Schedule Your Orthopedic Surgery Before Your Deductible Resets

Are you experiencing chronic shoulder pain? The end of the year is approaching. If you need an orthopedic procedure, it would be best to schedule it before year-end. Now is a good time to contact your insurance company to ask if you have met your deductible. If you have already met your deductible, your procedure may be more affordable or even fully covered.

Find an Orthopedic Surgeon in Your Area

Are you looking for an orthopedist in your area to treat your shoulder pain? Click here to enter your zip code and locate a specialist near you. Our specialists are accepting new patients and are ready to offer you compassionate care.