What Is Thrower’s Shoulder?
Thrower’s shoulder is a term for injuries that develop from repetitive, forceful overhand throws.
Thrower’s shoulder is commonly seen in baseball pitchers. When you pitch, your shoulder rotates with force, control, and speed. This movement can cause several types of thrower’s shoulder injuries:
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Labral tears, tears in the cartilage lining your shoulder (labrum)
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Tendonitis
The condition is most common in baseball players, but other athletes like lacrosse or tennis players can develop thrower’s shoulder.
Thrower’s Shoulder Causes
Throwing a ball forcefully over and over can lead to thrower’s shoulder. The injury develops because you put your arm through what’s known as layback.
Layback is when your shoulder rotates outwardly through its fullest range of motion. In layback, your rotator cuff (muscles and tendons surrounding your shoulder joint) and labrum rub against each other.
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Thrower’s Shoulder Symptoms
You may have several symptoms of thrower’s shoulder:
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Changes in your shoulder’s range of motion
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Difficulty controlling your throw
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Feeling that your arm is numb when throwing
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Pain while throwing
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Sudden shoulder pain, especially in the back of your shoulder
Athletes often notice symptoms of thrower’s shoulder after they get another injury. For example, you may injure your back or elbow. Pitchers tend to build a lot of shoulder strength and flexibility. But when injured, you naturally adjust your shoulder movements to compensate. After recovery, you start noticing that you can’t throw like you could before.
See an orthopedic specialist if your symptoms don’t improve with rest. You should also see an orthopedic specialist if your shoulder feels unstable.
Throwing Clinic
Experts at the U of U ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ Throwing Clinic can help you improve your performance or recover from a throwing-related injury.
Thrower’s Shoulder Diagnosis
Diagnosing thrower’s shoulder starts with discussing your symptoms and health history. Your orthopedic specialist asks several questions:
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How long have you had symptoms?
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What part of the throwing motion causes pain?
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Where in your shoulder do you have pain?
You have a shoulder examination. You may get an X-ray to look at the tissues inside your shoulder. Then your orthopedic specialist discusses treatment options and next steps.
Thrower’s Shoulder Treatment
Treatment often starts with rest and physical therapy. Physical therapy helps bring back shoulder strength and flexibility. You return to throwing over time, guided by your physical therapist and orthopedic specialist.
Most athletes recover from thrower’s shoulder with this approach. Our orthopedic specialists refer you to physical therapists experienced in throwing injuries. This therapy is crucial for a good recovery.
Steroid Injections for Thrower’s Shoulder
We sometimes inject a steroid into your shoulder. Steroids mimic your body’s natural anti-inflammatory process. A steroid injection can decrease pain and inflammation. We typically only use this for in-season athletes or those who have pain in one part of their shoulder.
Thrower’s Shoulder Surgery
Your orthopedic surgeon may recommend surgery if your symptoms don’t improve with noninvasive therapies. We use shoulder arthroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure.
Arthroscopy needs only small incisions. We use thin, flexible instruments and a camera (arthroscope) to see and repair tears. This approach helps reduce scarring. It also helps you regain your range of motion as much as possible.
How to Prevent Thrower’s Shoulder
Research shows that managing how much you pitch helps prevent thrower’s shoulder. Major League Baseball and USA Baseball have worked together to establish guidelines.
These guidelines are for pitchers ages 7–22. The guide outlines pitch count limits and rest recommendations. Following Pitch Smart helps young athletes lower their risk of thrower’s shoulder.
Why Choose ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of Utah ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ?
Our ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ Orthopaedic ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ team includes experts in thrower’s shoulder. These experts serve on Pitch Smart committees and publish research on throwing injuries. We treat many athletes with throwing injuries through our dedicated Throwing Clinic.
We continually study best practices and new treatments so you receive the latest therapies. Our orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine doctors, and physical therapists work together to deliver collaborative, safe, effective care.
Make an Appointment
Call 801-587-7109 to request an appointment with an orthopedic specialist. We don’t require referrals, but some insurance plans do. We recommend checking with your insurance provider before you schedule your appointment.
