Significant shoulder injuries in the overhead (tennis) athletes

Abstract

Research aim. Purpose – to present the most common shoulder complex pain and dysfunction characteristics of the overhead athletes and to present specific guidelines needed for successful return to sports. Research methods and organization. The sample of the research included 8 overhead athletes. All patients underwent concomitant arthroscopic type II superior-anterior-posterior labrum (SLAP), partial thickness rotator cuff tear (PTRC) repairs together with distal clavicle resection and were available for review at a minimum of 2 year after surgeries. Every intraarticular shoulder pathology was recorded and related to the symptoms and dysfunction of the shoulder. All participants were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. Postoperative measures were taken after 21.1 ± 1.2 months. Shoulder flexion ROM and shoulder IR and ER ROM at 90° of abduction were evaluated during standard procedure. Constant score was used for evaluation of the shoulder function’s quality (Constant, 2008). Ability to restore preinjury activity level was recorded for every patient. The patients underwent standard rehabilitation process in acute healing phase including physical therapy and physical modalities. Gentle and protective physical exercises were used in acute phase after the surgery. Summary of results. Significant difference was established after 2 years. The mean improvement of Constant score value in overhead athletes group was 27 point. Although the deficit of Constant score decreased, the mean value of Constant score after 2 years hadn’t returned to optimal value. All possible shoulder pain and dysfunction reasons and treatment strategy will be discussed in the presentation.