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Whether you’re a trained athletic, an amateur enthusiast or weekend warrior, actively participating in sports carries the risk of personal injury. Generally, some injuries are more common depending on the type of sport, for example, runner’s knee. This is also true for those known as overhead athletes.
What is an overhead athlete?
Overhead athletes are those who take part in sports that require rapid, repetitive overhead movement involving the shoulder and upper arm, such as throwing and swinging. Common examples of these sports include golf, baseball, basketball, tennis, football, swimming, volleyball, and field events such as javelin, shot put, discus, and hammer throw.
Common injuries
There are several injuries that are common to overhead athletes including, but not limited to, shoulder sprains and strains, bursitis, rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement, and elbow ligament sprains.
Shoulder sprains and strains
When the ligaments that support the shoulder joint become abnormally stretched or torn, this is called a shoulder sprain. Likewise, a shoulder strain is when shoulder tendons or muscles are abnormally stretched or torn.
Bursitis
Inside the shoulder is a fluid-filled sac called the bursa. The bursa functions to reduce friction between bones and soft tissue, as well as lubricating joints. Bursitis in the shoulder occurs when the bursa becomes inflamed and swollen due to injury or overuse. When this happens, shoulder movement is restricted and painful.
Rotator cuff tears
The rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles that envelop the shoulder joint in order to secure the upper arm into the shoulder socket. This support gives the arm its ability to freely move in all directions. With overuse, or due to an injury, the rotator cuff can tear. This can include a partial tear or a full tear where the tendon separates from the bone.
Shoulder impingement
Shoulder impingement, or shoulder impingement syndrome, occurs when the acromion part of your shoulder blade pinches or squeezes the tendons found just below it and above the humeral head – which is the rounded area located at the end of the humerus (upper arm bone). Essentially, the acromion bone and humerus are squeezing together with the tendon pinched between them. While typically a normal movement, impingement occurs when there is prolonged pinching that causes inflammation and pain. This area is particularly aggravated by persistent overhead arm movement.
Elbow ligament sprains
The inside (medial) part of the elbow sees stress during the late cocking and early acceleration phases of throwing. If the elbow experiences more stress than it can handle or repetitive stress over long periods, it can stretch or tear. This can lead to what is commonly referred to as a UCL (ulnar collateral ligament) injury.
Prevention tips for overhead athletes
There are several recommendations for helping overhead athletes avoid injuries. Depending on the sport, athletes are encouraged to practice good technique in order to reduce the amount of stress put on the shoulder, arm or elbow. A coach or athletic trainer will be able to properly advise on techniques to help avert an injury. Prior to the sporting activity, regular stretching, warming up and cooling down, will also support areas of the body that will be heavily used throughout play. Appropriate strength training is also key to supporting and stabilizing the muscles and tendons in these areas. Equally important is including sufficient rest and recovery rather than scheduling back-to-back activities or overtraining. Finally, know the warning signs that may signal it’s time to seek assessment by a healthcare professional. These symptoms could include pain, weakness, numbness, and decreased range of motion.
If a supportive device indicated, there are several options to choose from on the OptOrtho website. However, the choice should be guided by a healthcare professional after a full examination and diagnosis.
