Throwing is a complex motion that requires many muscles to work together in a precise way to ensure adequate power and accuracy. With high repetition, structures in the shoulder can become damaged or inflamed and cause pain afterward. This article will discuss several possible causes of this type of pain.
1) Rotator Cuff Injury
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles that primarily perform external and internal rotation. These muscles are responsible for providing stability to the shoulder joint by pulling the head of the humerus into the socket portion of the joint. When throwing, these muscles are heavily taxed when controlling rotation into the cocked phase of throwing and then stabilizing the shoulder joint as the arm moves forward to throw a ball. With repetition, these muscles can become damaged and can result in pain and instability in the shoulder.
2) Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
With elevation and rotation of the arm, bony protrusions on the humeral head can cause compression of several structures that pass between the humeral head and the portion of the scapula that rests above them. With repetitive compression of these structures, inflammation can occur and can lead to pain in the anterior aspect of the shoulder. It is common to see weakness in the shoulder stabilizing musculature with this condition as well.
3) Biceps Tendonitis
The biceps brachii is a two-headed muscle that spans from the shoulder to the forearm. This muscle helps to control deceleration of the arm during throwing and contributes to the specific positioning of the wrist and hand during throwing. As with the other conditions, biceps tendonitis can be caused by high repetition activities and can lead to anterior shoulder pain.
If you have suffered from shoulder pain, physical therapy can help identify a probable cause and determine an appropriate treatment plan to reduce your sensations of pain and improve overall function of the shoulder. Call Respire Physical Therapy at 703-671-1871 or click here to schedule an evaluation with a Physical Therapist today!
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