Baseball Shoulder Injuries

What are Baseball Shoulder Injuries?

Shoulder injuries in baseball players are usually associated with pitching. While this overhand throwing activity can produce great speed and distance for the ball, it can place much stress on the shoulder when performed repeatedly. While pitching, the arm is thrown outward and backward to generate speed. This action forces the head of the humerus forward, stressing the surrounding ligaments and tendons. These stresses can lead to injuries, causing pain and inflammation.

What are Common Baseball Shoulder Injuries?

Common baseball injuries include:

• Tears of the labrum
• Tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons) and tears of the rotator cuff
• Tendonitis and tears of the biceps tendon
• Impingement of the rotator cuff tendons between the humeral head and glenoid
• Partial dislocation of the joint (instability)

Pain and instability of the shoulder can result in reduced throwing velocity and accuracy.

Diagnosis of Baseball Shoulder Injuries

Your doctor will assess your shoulder injury by reviewing your pain and the movements that produce it and performing a thorough physical examination. Imaging studies such as X-rays and MRIs may be ordered.

Treatments for Baseball Shoulder Injuries

Most shoulder injuries involve soft tissue structures that can be treated by rest, ice application, medication, and physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the muscles and ligaments, improving and maintaining the range of motion. A change in throwing technique may be suggested to reduce stress on the injured shoulder.