[The Throwing Shoulder]

Abstract

Repetitive top-performance of overhead athletes induces a tremendous stress for the throwing shoulder. Throwers reach rotational speed of their arm of more than 7000°/s with joint compression and distraction forces of more than 1000 N. This performance is tributary to adaption of the shoulder muscles and the joint itself. These adaptions may, however lead to two specific problems of the throwing shoulder: 1. The posterosuperior internal impingement of the rotator cuff and labrum between glenoid and humeral head during late cooking phase; 2. A decreased internal rotation of the glenohumeral joint (GIRD) with compensatory problems of the scapula-stabilizing muscles. Precise analysis of kinematics and pathomechanics aims to improve understanding and treatment of those specific problems of the throwing shoulder.

Keywords: GIRD; GIRD (déficit de rotation interne glénohumérale); Inneres Impingement; SLAP; SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior – lésions antéro-postérieures du labrum supérieur); Scapuladyskinesia; Scapuladyskinesie; Werferschulter; dyskinésie scapulaire; impingement (frottement) interne; lesion; posterior-superior internal impingement; throwing shoulder; épaule du lanceur de poids.