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Shoulder pain and the overhand athlete
Charles Ruotolo1, James Penna, Suk Namkoong
1Department of Orthopedics, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York, USA.
American Journal of Orthopedics (Belle Mead, N.J.)
|May 30, 2003
Summary
Overhand athletes often experience shoulder pain due to various causes like impingement or laxity. Treatment depends on the specific diagnosis, with nonoperative measures prioritized before surgery.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Overhand athletes frequently experience shoulder pain, a complex issue with multiple proposed etiologies.
- Commonly cited causes include subacromial impingement, anterior capsular laxity, internal or posterosuperior impingement, traction injury, and scapular imbalance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the various causes of shoulder pain in overhand athletes.
- To emphasize the importance of accurate diagnosis for effective treatment planning.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and hypotheses regarding shoulder pain in overhand athletes.
- Discussion of diagnostic considerations and treatment principles.
Main Results:
- Multiple factors contribute to shoulder pain in overhand athletes, including impingement syndromes and instability.
- The underlying cause dictates the appropriate treatment strategy.
Conclusions:
- Accurate diagnosis of the specific cause of shoulder pain is crucial for effective management in overhand athletes.
- Nonoperative therapeutic measures should be exhausted before considering surgical intervention.