Information for Patients
From the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Rotator Cuff Tears and Treatment Options
The Thrower's Shoulder
Athletes who participate in repetitive overhead throwing activities experience distinct injuries of the shoulder that create significant clinical challenges for the sports medicine physician. This article explores how scapular "issues" in the overhead thrower may potentiate the development of tissue breakdown in the shoulder. Diagnostic procedures for rotator cuff and labral injuries are discussed, recent advances in both nonsurgical and surgical intervention are elaborated, and preventive strategies are described.
Keywords: overhead throwing athlete, scapular dyskinesis, rotator cuff injury, rotator cuff impingement, rotator cuff tear, shoulder impingement syndrome, internal impingement, SLAP tear, humeral retroversion, posterior capsular contracture, anterior capsular laxity, GIRD, kinetic chain breakdown, shoulder arthroscopy