Management of common upper extremity injuries in throwing athletes: a critical review of current outcomes

Abstract

Given the rising incidence and prevalence of shoulder injuries in throwing athletes, this review aims to evaluate management options and outcomes of common shoulder injuries in overhead throwers. Laxity of the glenohumeral joint is often adaptive for overhead athletes to achieve the velocity necessary to compete in the professional ranks. Surgical repair of the stabilizers of the humeral head—specifically the labrum and rotator cuff—often causes inflammation, scarring, and overtensioning of the glenohumeral joint which lead to poor postoperative performance. Thus, nonsurgical management should be exhausted in this population before considering surgical intervention.

Keywords

• Throwing shoulder
• Rotator cuff tear
• SLAP tear
• Biceps tenodesis
• Glenohumeral instability
• Bankart repair