Shoulder Posterior Capsular Contracture Clinical Trial
Official title:
Shoulder Posterior Capsular Contracture in Youth Baseball Players: It Can be Improved by Stretching
The purpose of this study is to document the rates of youth baseball player demographics, incidence of arm pain, usage of different pitch types, and degree of internal rotation contracture in the throwing versus the non-throwing shoulder. We followed a subgroup of players for a year to see if a particular stretch would help reduce the internal rotation contracture.
Introduction: Overhead throwing can cause contracture of the shoulder posterior-inferior
glenohumeral ligament which can lead to injuries such as superior labral tears. We show that
instruction on stretching can favorably alter progression of posterior contractures.
Methods: 1261 male baseball players ages 7-15 completed a questionnaire and shoulder
examinations. Measurements of rotation of both shoulders were made with the subjects in the
supine position with the scapula stabilized. Glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD)
was calculated. Pitch type and player position, among other variables, were recorded. The
prospective cohort was 175 players who were examined twice a year apart. Players with
excessive GIRD (exGIRD) were given stretching instruction, and the control group was those
without exGIRD who were not given instruction. Change in GIRD as a result of this
intervention was documented.
;