Special Section SPORTS INJURIES Shoulder Trauma

EXPERT ADVICE Rotator Cuff Injury

Rotator cuff strain is one of the most common “shoulder injuries I see. It is commonly brought on by overuse and poor mechanics of the shoulder over time. If you are experiencing shoul- der pain, one of the first things you can do is see a physical therapist. You don’t need a re- ferral in the state of Tennessee. You want to make sure to find a physical therapist who will or most athletes, a bit of wear and tear is un- Glenoid Labrum Tear This type of tear occurs perform a hands-on evalua- F avoidable. For those who play sports, shoul- in the fibrous ring of tissue covering the inside of tion and develop a personal- der injuries are a common occurrence, and the socket which holds the ball of the humerus ized treatment program with should be taken seriously. bone. Symptoms: pain (usually with overhead exercises to help strengthen Below are a few of the most common sports- activities); catching, locking, popping, or grinding the tissues that are weak and related shoulder injuries. Broken Collar Bone The clavicle bone runs loosen the tissues that are stiff. Rotator Cuff Strain The four muscles that across the front of the shoulder to the breast Don’t live with pain because it stabilize the shoulder joint are referred to as the bone or sternum. Falling onto the shoulder or could get much worse. Strains rotator cuff. A tear or strain in any of the four outstretched arm can result in a broken collar can turn into tears over time if muscles causes a rotator cuff strain. The muscles bone. Symptoms: pain that increases with move- ment, swelling, tenderness, bruising, bulge on or they are not addressed.” are important to arm rotation and lifting and near shoulder, grinding or cracking sound when you can be damaged by powerful, quick movements. try to move, stiffness or inability to move shoulder Jeremy Shook, Symptoms: pain, stiffness, and general weakness PT, DPT, OCS, Frozen Shoulder Extreme shoulder stiffness COMT, STC Dislocated Shoulder A dislocated shoulder Regional Coor- is referred to as “frozen shoulder.” It can occur dinator, Director occurs when the humerus bone (the long bone when scar tissue from a previous injury affects of Clinical Op- in the upper arm) pops out of the shoulder joint. joint movement, reducing flexibility. For athletes erations, Results Damage to various nearby ligaments and tendons with possible shoulder injuries, getting them Physiotherapy can also result. Symptoms: deformity, swelling, checked out properly is an important step in discoloration, inability to move, numbness, pain, both healing the injury, and avoiding frozen weakness, tingling near the injury, muscle spasms shoulder in the future. Symptoms: pain, limited in the shoulder range of motion, stiffness

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