According to statistics, shoulder injuries account for up to 7.5 percent of all sports injuries, and they are prevalent among athletes 18 to 43 years of age. The most common shoulder injuries sustained during sports trainings and competitions include fractures, dislocations, rotator cuff tears, as well as sprains and strains.
At Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder, our sports medicine physicians are experts in the diagnoses, treatment, and prevention of all types of upper-extremity injuries affecting athletes of all ages.
According to our sports medicine specialists, if you are involved in the following sports, you are highly susceptible to shoulder injuries:
Tennis
The repetitive and forceful racquet swinging involved in tennis puts you at an increased risk for the following shoulder injuries:
- Shoulder instability/dislocation – when the head of your upper arm bone (humeral head) slightly or completely slips out of the socket
- Shoulder strains – when the muscle or tendon in your shoulder gets overstretched
- Rotator cuff tears – injury sustained to the group of muscles and tendons supporting your shoulder
- Superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) tears– injury to the ring of cartilage that surrounds your shoulder socket known as the labrum
Baseball and Softball
If you play baseball and/or softball, the repetitive ball throwing and head-first sliding that you do during your trainings and games can make you especially prone to SLAP tears, rotator cuff injuries, humerus fractures, shoulder tendonitis, and shoulder instability.
Swimming
Swimming may be a low- or no-impact sport, but it still has inherent risks for injuries. The repetitive arm movement and shoulder rotation involved in each stroke you make can put a strain on the bones and soft tissues that form and support your shoulder and put you at risk for these types of shoulder injuries:
- SLAP tears
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Swimmer’s shoulder– when tendons in your shoulder get inflamed, pressing on the surrounding bones and soft tissues
Football
Football makes you especially prone to rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement, tendinitis, SLAP tears, and dislocation due to the tackling and repetitive ball throwing and overhead reaching involved in the sport.
Sports Medicine Physician in Lutherville, MD
Just because these sports can put you at risk for injuries doesn’t mean you should quit playing them or give up your career altogether. Work with one of our highly credentialed sports medicine physicians here at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder, so you can learn about proper movement technique and other strategies to help minimize your risk for injuries and ultimately reach your full athletic potential.
To arrange a consultation with one of our sports medicine physicians, contact our friendly staff at (410) 296-6232. You may also fill out this form, and we will promptly contact you to confirm your appointment.
