Avoid Shoulder Injuries This Season

The shoulder is composed of the shoulder blade (scapula), collarbone (clavicle), and upper arm bone (humerus). With two joints (the glenohumeral and the acromioclavicular), the shoulder is widely considered to be the most unstable joint. It can move in multiple directions and allow you to apply force or pressure, allowing for greater movement, but simultaneously making it more susceptible to injury than any other joint in the human body.

There are countless ways the shoulder can be injured in athletics; repetitive arm motions, like throwing, swimming, or weight lifting, can contribute to several different conditions.

These conditions include bursitis, rotator cuff tendinitis, rotator cuff tears, frozen shoulder, and shoulder instability. However, the doctors at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists say that performing proper warm-ups and strength training exercises can decrease an athlete’s potential for injury.

Strength training exercises using free weights or exercise bands can increase stability in and around the shoulder joint. Likewise, warm-ups that include arm movements in a circular motion, both forward and backward, will ensure the joints are prepared for a workout, practice, or game and will help athletes avoid injury.

Proper treatment of shoulder pain relies on a proper diagnosis of the cause of the pain. If one of your athletes is experiencing shoulder pain, medical attention should be sought. The doctors at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists can assess your athlete’s symptoms and create a customized treatment plan to fit his or her needs. To make an appointment, please call (800) 762-1177.