Sports Shoulder Throwing Injuries
What Are Throwing Injuries in the Shoulder?
Throwing injuries are overuse injuries that occur in athletes who repeatedly perform overhead throwing motions. These injuries affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage that stabilize and move the shoulder.
They are common in sports such as baseball, softball, football (quarterbacks), tennis, volleyball, and javelin throwing.
Because the shoulder is a highly mobile joint, repetitive high-force throwing can place significant stress on the rotator cuff and labrum, leading to pain and instability.
At OIBortho, our physicians evaluate and treat sports-related shoulder injuries for athletes throughout Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties.
Common Types of Throwing Injuries
Throwing injuries can affect several structures in the shoulder, including:
- Rotator cuff tendinitis or tears
- Labral tears (including SLAP tears)
- Shoulder impingement syndrome
- Internal impingement (common in overhead athletes)
- Biceps tendon inflammation
- AC joint irritation or sprains
- Shoulder instability or subluxation
These conditions often develop gradually from repetitive stress.
Symptoms of Throwing Injuries
Symptoms may start mild and worsen with continued activity.
Common symptoms include:
- Shoulder pain during or after throwing
- Decreased throwing velocity or accuracy
- Fatigue in the shoulder or arm
- Clicking, popping, or catching sensation
- Loss of strength or control
- Pain when lifting the arm overhead
- Stiffness after activity
- Feeling of instability or “dead arm” sensation
Athletes may notice declining performance before significant pain begins.
Causes and Risk Factors
Throwing injuries are typically caused by repetitive stress rather than a single trauma.
Common risk factors include:
- High throwing volume without adequate rest
- Poor throwing mechanics
- Muscle imbalance or weakness
- Inadequate warm-up or conditioning
- Early sports specialization in youth athletes
- Previous shoulder injury
- Overuse during competitive seasons
Over time, repeated micro-stress can lead to tissue breakdown.
How Throwing Injuries Are Diagnosed
A physician will evaluate shoulder function, strength, and throwing mechanics.
Diagnostic tools may include:
- Physical examination and strength testing
- X-rays (to evaluate bone structure)
- MRI (to assess rotator cuff and labrum)
- MR arthrogram (more detailed labral imaging in some cases)
Throwing assessments may also be used to evaluate mechanics.
Understanding Throwing Injuries
The throwing motion places extreme stress on the shoulder, especially during the late cocking and follow-through phases. This can lead to repetitive micro-injury in stabilizing structures like the rotator cuff and labrum.
Early diagnosis is important to prevent progression to more serious injuries.
Treatment Options
Most throwing injuries improve with non-surgical treatment when addressed early.
Common options include:
- Rest from throwing activities
- Activity modification and pitch count management
- Physical therapy focused on rotator cuff and scapular strength
- Biomechanical correction and throwing mechanics training
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Cortisone or biologic injections in select cases
- Arthroscopic surgery for severe or persistent injuries
Rehabilitation is often essential for safe return to sport.
Why Choose OIBortho?
OIBortho provides specialized care for sports-related shoulder injuries, including throwing athletes. Our physicians focus on accurate diagnosis, targeted treatment, and structured return-to-play planning.
We serve athletes throughout Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties with comprehensive orthopaedic sports medicine care close to home.
Call 732-800-9000 to speak with one of our scheduling specialists or click here to schedule online 24/7!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are throwing injuries in the shoulder?
They are overuse injuries caused by repetitive overhead throwing motions.
What sports cause these injuries?
Baseball, softball, football, tennis, volleyball, and other overhead sports.
What does a throwing injury feel like?
Pain, fatigue, reduced velocity, and sometimes clicking or instability.
Can I keep playing with shoulder pain?
Continuing to throw can worsen the injury, so evaluation is recommended.
How are throwing injuries treated?
Most are treated with rest, physical therapy, and mechanics correction.
When is surgery needed?
Surgery is considered if symptoms persist despite conservative treatment.