Accelerated rehabilitation of shoulder injuries in athletes

Knut Beitzel, Andreas B. Imhoff

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Shoulders of throwing athletes are known to demonstrate certain functional and morphological changes due to the excessive biomechanical loads generated by the repetitive throwing motion. Such changes are the elongation of the anterior capsule and contraction of the posterior joint capsule, resulting in glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) and pathologic posterosuperior impingement (PSI) accompanied by lesions of the rotator cuff. Functionally, the range of external rotation is increased (ROM) with a relative loss of the ability to generate external rotational torque. Besides these direct glenohumeral pathologies, dyskinesia of the complex scapular motion is often present. In order to achieve a maximum recovery of the athlete, an accurate understanding together with a sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm is necessary. Rehabilitation of these injuries should focus on prevention, nonsurgical treatment but also on surgical interventions if needed, to allow for a return to sports at the highest possible level.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSports Injuries
Subtitle of host publicationPrevention, Diagnosis, Treatment and Rehabilitation, Second Edition
PublisherSpringer Berlin Heidelberg
Pages63-72
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9783642365690
ISBN (Print)9783642365683
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2015

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