Baseball is a sport that requires players to throw the baseball in an overhead motion. This motion requires muscle activation in the shoulder and can lead to injuries for a variety of reasons, including poor mechanics, overuse and muscle imbalances. Shoulder injuries related to baseball can have a significant affect on a player's future.
Cause
Most baseball-related shoulder injuries occur because of the excessive forces placed on the shoulder during each throw. Every time a player throws the baseball, the shoulder must decelerate very quickly after the ball is released. During the course of a practice or game, the repetitive motion of throwing might be repeated more than 100 times.
Identification
Shoulder injuries typically start with the player experiencing slight pain. The pain can increase in intensity and cause tingling down the arm or sharp pain in the shoulder joint. Shoulder injuries are sometimes preceded by decreased performance and increased recovery time.
Location
There are a variety of locations that shoulder injuries can occur based on the nature of the injury and the individual athlete. Most injuries will occur in the shoulder girdle located on the backside of the shoulder next to the shoulder blade. Some athletes might also have injuries occur to the front of the shoulder that extends down into the chest.
Prevention/Solution
Injuries to the shoulder can be prevented by implementing warm-up exercises that promote shoulder flexibility and mobility while strengthening the muscles that surround the shoulder. Work the exercises into practice and strength training routines. If an injury does occur, allow the shoulder to fully recover before returning to practice and after physical therapy. Give at least five days between games when a player pitches.
Types
The most common shoulder injuries include subluxation, impingement, rotator cuff tears and tendinitis. Subluxation causes instability to the shoulder joint and occurs when the shoulder slips out of the joint and returns to the original position. Impingement occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff become irritated and inflamed resulting in pain and shoulder weakness. Rotator cuff tears occur from instability of the shoulder and result in a full tear of the muscle(s) in the back of the shoulder. Tendinitis comes from overuse and repetitive movements and causes pain while throwing.
Muscles
The most common muscles involved in shoulder injuries include the rotator cuff and deltoid. The rotator cuff, which helps to stabilize the shoulder and decelerates the shoulder after each pitch, is made up of four muscles, including the subscapularis, teres minor, supraspinatus and infraspinatus.
