The Most Common Shoulder Injuries in Sports and How to Treat Them
Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a dedicated athlete, or somewhere in between, shoulder sports injuries can derail your performance and disrupt your daily life. Due to the repetitive, high-impact movements involved, these injuries are common across many sports, including baseball, tennis, and swimming.
Fortunately, the team at Western Slope Rehab & Performance has an in-depth understanding of how these injuries occur and what we can do to address them. Often, you can resolve a sports-related shoulder injury through physical therapy alone, without medication or invasive procedure. The trick is to understand your injury so we can develop a comprehensive treatment program.
Five Sports Shoulder Injuries We Treat
Rotator Cuff Tears
The rotator cuff consists of four muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder joint and allow for smooth motion. It’s one of the most commonly injured areas in athletes, particularly those involved in throwing or overhead sports.
How Rotator Cuff Tears Happen
- Repetitive overhead motion like pitching, swimming)
- Sudden trauma or falls
Signs and Symptoms to Watch Out For
- Dull ache deep in the shoulder
- Weakness lifting or rotating the arm
- Difficulty sleeping on the injured side
How Physical Therapy Helps
- Reduces pain with manual therapy and other all-natural techniques
- Strengthens surrounding muscles to support healing
- Improves range of motion through guided stretches
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Shoulder impingement occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff become compressed under the acromion, a part of your shoulder blade. This injury is especially common in swimmers, tennis players, and weightlifters.
How Shoulder Impingement Happens
- Overuse of the shoulder in overhead activities
- Poor posture or biomechanics
Signs and Symptoms to Watch Out For
- Pain during lifting or reaching
- A pinching feeling in the shoulder
- Limited shoulder mobility
How Physical Therapy Helps
- Corrects posture and movement mechanics
- Alleviates pressure with soft tissue mobilization
- Therapeutic exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff and scapular muscles
SLAP Tears
A SLAP (superior labrum anterior and posterior) tear affects the cartilage that lines the shoulder socket. This injury is often seen in athletes who use overhead arm motions, such as volleyball players or pitchers.
How SLAP Tears Happen
- Sudden forceful pulling or lifting
- Repetitive overhead activities
Signs and Symptoms to Watch Out For
- Deep, aching pain in the shoulder
- Clicking or popping during movement
- Decreased shoulder strength
How Physical Therapy Helps
- Rebuilds shoulder stability through targeted strengthening
- Improves joint mobility and reduces inflammation
- Provides sport-specific rehab to safely return to play
Dislocations and Instability
A dislocated shoulder occurs when the upper arm bone pops out of the socket, often due to trauma or a fall. Recurrent dislocations can lead to chronic instability. While most dislocations require immediate medical attention, physical therapy helps with the rehabilitation afterward.
How Shoulders Dislocate
- Direct impact or collision
- Falling onto an outstretched arm
Signs and Symptoms to Watch Out For
- Intense pain and visible deformity
- Swelling and bruising
- Feeling of the shoulder slipping out of place
How Physical Therapy Helps
- Strengthens stabilizing muscles to prevent future dislocations
- Enhances proprioception (body awareness) to prevent falls
- Get you back in the game with progressive, functional exercises
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Frozen shoulder is a little different from the other shoulder sports injuries on this list. It doesn’t occur directly from overuse or trauma, but it can develop after prolonged immobility from a sports injury. It leads to stiffness and pain that limits daily activities.
Why Frozen Shoulder Happens
- In athletes, it can occur after an injury or surgery that restricts movement
- It’s also common in older adults and may not always have a clear cause
Signs and Symptoms to Watch Out For
- Gradual onset of pain
- Marked loss of shoulder motion
- Stiffness that worsens over time
How Physical Therapy Helps
- Restores range of motion through gentle mobilization
- Reduces stiffness with stretching and manual techniques
- Guides recovery through each stage of the condition
Take the First Step Toward Shoulder Recovery
Shoulder sports injuries don’t have to put you on the bench! With the correct diagnosis and a personalized physical therapy program, you can recover fully and prevent future problems.
Don’t wait for the pain to get worse. Contact Western Slope Rehab & Performance today to schedule an appointment at our Grand Junction, CO clinic and start your recovery journey with trusted professionals who understand what athletes need.