Musculoskeletal Medicine and PainREVIEW ARTICLE

Osteopathic approach to injuries of the overhead thrower’s shoulder

Arthur J. De Luigi, DO, MHSA; George Raum, DO; Benjamin W. King, BS; and Robert L. Bowers, DO
Notes and Affiliations
Notes and Affiliations

Received: February 18, 2024

Accepted: October 3, 2024

Published: December 2, 2024

  • Arthur J. De Luigi, DO, MHSA, 

    Hall of Fame Sports, LLC, Scottsdale, AZ, USA

  • George Raum, DO, 

    Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

  • Benjamin W. King, BS, 

    Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

  • Robert L. Bowers, DO, 

    Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Orthopedics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

Abstract

Overhead sports place a significant amount of stress on the shoulder. There are a variety of activities and sports with overhead athletes including both throwing (baseball, softball, football, cricket) and nonthrowing (tennis, swimming, volleyball) sports. Although all of these overhead motions can lead to pathology, a large focus has been on the consequences of overhead throwing. Overhead-throwing sports place forces on the joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments that vary through the spectrum of athletes, as does the potential injuries that may be caused by these forces. The primary joints that are commonly injured in overhead sports are the shoulder and the elbow. The goal of this article is to discuss the impact of overhead motions on the shoulder, with a primary focus on throwing, as well as to highlight the osteopathic approach to assessment, treatment, management, and prevention.

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