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Published on: March 12, 2021
Scapular dysfunction in high school baseball players sustaining throwing-related upper extremity injury: a
Joseph B Myers1, Sakiko Oyama, Elizabeth E Hibberd
1Sports Medicine Research Laboratories, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. joemyers@email.unc.edu
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
|February 20, 2013
Summary
Scapular dysfunction in high school baseball players does not predict throwing-related shoulder or elbow injuries. Preseason screenings for scapular dysfunction did not identify players at higher risk for these injuries.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Scapular dysfunction is often cited as an injury risk factor in baseball.
- Prospective evidence linking scapular dysfunction to throwing-related injuries is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if preseason scapular dysfunction screening predicts throwing-related upper extremity injuries in high school baseball players.
- To determine the association between scapular dysfunction and the incidence of shoulder and elbow injuries in this population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving 246 high school baseball players over two seasons.
- Preseason screenings assessed scapular dysfunction.
- Weekly surveillance monitored throwing-related injuries and athlete exposures.
Main Results:
- 12 throwing-related upper extremity injuries occurred (1.0 per 1,000 athlete exposures).
- No significant differences in injury rates were found between players with normal, subtle, or obvious scapular dysfunction.
- Statistical analysis showed no predictive value of scapular dysfunction for injury.
Conclusions:
- Preseason identification of scapular dysfunction is not associated with an increased risk of throwing-related upper extremity injuries in high school baseball players.
- Current screening methods for scapular dysfunction may not be effective in predicting injury in this demographic.
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