Doctor for Throwing Injuries in Raleigh, NC
What is a throwing injury?
Shoulder injuries are common among athletes participating in throwing sports, including football and baseball, among others. These types of sports place an incredibly high level of stress on the shoulder joint, which can cause a range of shoulder overuse injuries.
Dr. David Dare, an orthopedic shoulder specialist in Raleigh, NC, has extensive experience working with patients suffering from all kinds of throwing injuries. He takes a personalized approach to your shoulder treatment, ensuring that all your needs are met and that you are back to your best athletic performance as soon as possible.
Which sports are most commonly associated with throwing injuries?
Dr. Dare has seen all kinds of athletes for throwing injuries, many of whom are baseball pitchers. Baseball pitching is the most common cause of a throwing shoulder injury however, many other sports can cause this kind of injury as well. Some of the most common sports that can result in a throwing overuse injury include:
- Baseball
- Softball
- Volleyball
- Track and field throwing sports
- Tennis
- Football
What are the most common throwing injuries?
Below are the most common throwing injuries in the shoulder. Dr. Dare has experience diagnosing a vast range of throwing shoulder injuries and can help you overcome your injury and shoulder pain, no matter how complex your condition may be.
Labrum Tears/SLAP injuries
A labrum tear, specifically a SLAP injury, is a common injury among throwing athletes. This kind of injury refers to tearing in the top area of your labrum, near where the biceps tendon connects with your labrum. Symptoms of a SLAP injury include:
- Deep pain in the shoulder
- Locking or catching sensation in your shoulder
- Pain with shoulder movement
Tendonitis & Tendon Tears in the Shoulder
Tendonitis of the shoulder refers to inflammation of the rotator cuff and/or biceps tendon. Common symptoms of rotator cuff or biceps tendonitis in the shoulder are:
- Pain in the front of the shoulder
- Pain on the side of the shoulder
- Pain with overhead activity
- Pain with reaching across or behind the body
- Shoulder weakness
Rotator Cuff Injuries
A rotator cuff injury can occur when the shoulder is overused, resulting in pain, inflammation, tendonitis, or tearing of the muscles and tendons that hold the shoulder joint in place. Some of the symptoms that may indicate a rotator cuff injury include:
- Loss of shoulder strength
- Loss of shoulder range of motion
- Pain that radiates through the shoulder and side of your arm
Shoulder Impingement
Impingement can happen when the rotator cuff tendons are pinched between the ball and socket bones of the shoulder joint. Symptoms can include the following:
- Limited range of motion in your shoulder
- Pinching feeling or sharp shoulder pain, particularly when reaching overhead or behind your back
- Pain in the side, front, or back of the shoulder. Pain can occasionally radiate along the side of the arm.
Shoulder Instability & Dislocation
Shoulder dislocation can occur when the ball portion of the joint slips out of the socket. When this happens more than once or results in looseness in the joint, it’s called shoulder instability. The following symptoms are common in those who suffer from shoulder instability or dislocations:
- “Loose” feeling in your shoulder
- Feeling like your shoulder is “slipping out of place”
- Shoulder weakness
- Pain in shoulder
- Loss of throwing strength
How is a throwing injury treated?
Depending on the exact type of throwing injury and severity of the injury, your treatment options may vary. Many of Dr. Dare’s patients who have suffered a throwing injury are able to return to regular sports and activities at their best performance level with the use of nonoperative treatments. Some of the conservative options that may be recommended by Dr. Dare include:
- Rest
- Activity level and lifestyle modifications
- Heat/ice therapy
- Physical therapy
- Exercise therapy
- Massage therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medications
Less commonly, a throwing injury may require surgical intervention. In those cases, Dr. David Dare is specially trained in orthopedic surgery and can provide you with the least invasive arthroscopic shoulder surgery options that will get you back in the game as quickly as possible.
“I experienced no wait time before seeing Dr. Dare. He communicated my situation well, explained options and proceeded with treatment upon our first meeting. He has a very friendly manner, great resume and judging from my initial appointment, wouldn’t hesitate to recommend his services to others!” — Marcia M.
Schedule a Throwing Injury Consultation
If you are experiencing symptoms of a throwing injury, consult an orthopedic shoulder specialist. Dr. David Dare is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. His primary goal is to develop an effective treatment plan using the least invasive techniques to relieve your shoulder pain, restore function, and get you back to feeling your best. Call 919.781.5600 or fill out the form on this page to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dare today.
