The pediatric overhead athlete: what is the real problem?
1Lexington Clinic Sports Medicine Center, Lexington, Kentucky 40504, USA. ascia@lexclin.com
Summary
Pediatric athletes are at risk for shoulder and elbow injuries due to intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Early recognition and intervention are key to preventing long-term damage in young throwing athletes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric sports medicine
- Orthopedic surgery
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Overhead sports participation is increasing in pediatric athletes.
- Shoulder and elbow injuries are common in young athletes, particularly those involved in throwing activities.
- Understanding the underlying causes is crucial for effective prevention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine shoulder and elbow injuries in pediatric athletes.
- To evaluate the pathophysiology and pathomechanics associated with these injuries.
- To provide evidence-based suggestions for injury prevention in young throwing athletes.
Main Methods:
- Review of published sports medicine literature focusing on baseball and tennis injuries.
- Analysis of intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors.
- Application of a kinetic chain-based perspective to identify causative factors in young throwers.
Main Results:
- Multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to injury risk in young throwing athletes.
- These risk factors often develop gradually over time.
- Delayed recognition or inadequate management of these factors leads to adverse outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Anatomical, biomechanical, and environmental factors can all contribute to shoulder and elbow dysfunction in young overhead athletes.
- Understanding the body's force-generating and load-absorbing mechanisms is essential.
- This knowledge aids clinicians, coaches, and others in preventing or mitigating injury effects.
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