Related Experiment Videos
Shoulder injuries in competitive swimmers.
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, Irvine College of Medicine, USA. wcmmd@aol.com
Clinics in Sports Medicine
|May 7, 1999
Summary
Swimmer's shoulder is more complex than just athletic injury. A broad differential diagnosis, considering age and non-athletic factors, is crucial for accurate treatment of shoulder pain in swimmers.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Physiology
Background:
- The term "swimmer's shoulder" is commonly used in sports medicine literature.
- However, the condition encompasses a range of shoulder ailments with diverse origins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight that swimmer's shoulder is a spectrum of conditions.
- To emphasize the need for a comprehensive differential diagnosis beyond athletic causes.
- To inform healthcare providers on factors to consider when treating swimmers.
Main Methods:
- Review of sports medicine literature concerning shoulder injuries in swimmers.
- Analysis of factors contributing to shoulder pain in this population.
- Consideration of age-related and non-athletic disease processes.
Main Results:
- Swimmer's shoulder is not solely attributable to athletic activity.
- Differential diagnosis must include neoplastic, degenerative, and acquired conditions.
- Age-related changes and diseases significantly impact shoulder health in swimmers.
Conclusions:
- Effective treatment requires understanding the full spectrum of potential shoulder pathologies.
- Healthcare providers must consider non-athletic causes, aging effects, and various diseases.
- A thorough diagnostic approach is essential for optimal outcomes in swimmers experiencing shoulder pain.