Overhead Costs

   Sports with a lot of overhead motions can lead to shoulder pain, and could mean rotator cuff injuries. 

Shoulder Injuries | Dr. Hunter Greene

   Rotator cuff injury and inflammation is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain. Sports that involve repetitive overhead motion, such as swimming, tennis, pitching and weightlifting, can cause injuries to the rotator cuff.

   The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that help to stabilize the shoulder joint. Tendinitis most commonly occurs in the rotator cuff muscles when they are overused in athletic activities. 

SYMPTOMS OF ROTATOR CUFF INJURY

   Symptoms usually develop over time. Pain can interfere with sleep and make every day tasks difficult. An athlete may complain of pain with overhead tasks like washing hair, getting dressed or reaching for a seatbelt. They may experience aching pain at rest in the outside of the upper arm.

TREATING A SORE SHOULDER

   Early detection is the key to preventing more serious shoulder injuries. In the teenage population, a rotator cuff injury does not result in tissue damage that requires surgical repair. A physician may recommend removing the athlete from activity and prescribe a treatment plan consisting of rest and physical therapy.

PREVENTING FUTURE INJURIES

   Talk to a sports medicine physician about a preventive program involving shoulder strengthening and stretching that may reduce the risk of overuse injuries. Rotator cuff strengthening programs improve dynamic stability and prevent extra stress from damaging the shoulder. 

Hunter Greene, M.D., is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Summit Orthopedic Specialists in Carmichael.