Throwing injuries

Throwing injuries of the shoulder develop when repetitive overhand motions place excessive stress on the muscles, tendons and joints of the shoulder. These injuries are common among baseball, softball, football, tennis, volleyball and track and field athletes, but anyone who performs frequent overhead activities can be affected. With the right diagnosis and care plan, most people recover and return to the activities they love.

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A detailed anatomical illustration of the shoulder joint, showing muscles, bursae, and ligaments.

Anatomy of the shoulder

The shoulder is a highly mobile ball-and-socket joint formed by three bones: the humerus (upper arm bone), scapula (shoulder blade) and clavicle (collarbone). The head of the humerus fits into a shallow socket in the scapula called the glenoid. A rim of strong cartilage called the labrum deepens this socket and helps keep the joint stable.

Muscles, tendons, ligaments and the joint capsule surround these bones, allowing the arm to lift, rotate and throw with speed and precision. Because the shoulder relies so heavily on soft tissue for stability, it's especially vulnerable to overuse and repetitive stress, which is why throwing athletes are at higher risk for shoulder injury.

Overview

Symptoms

You may be experiencing a throwing-related shoulder injury if you notice:

Persistent shoulder pain during or after activity
Loss of range of motion or stiffness
Weakness or reduced throwing velocity
Swelling or inflammation
Tenderness around the shoulder joint

Symptoms often begin gradually and may worsen if activity continues without treatment.

Causes

Throwing injuries typically develop from repeated overhead motion rather than a single traumatic event. Common contributing factors include:

Repetitive overhand throwing or serving motions
Improper technique or mechanics
Training errors, such as overuse or inadequate rest
Muscle imbalance or weakness
Inflammation or degeneration of tendons and ligaments

Understanding what's driving your symptoms helps our specialists build a treatment plan focused on both relief and prevention.

Risk factors

Certain factors can make throwing injuries more likely, though having one or more doesn't mean you'll develop a shoulder injury. Athletes and active individuals with the following may face higher risk:

High-volume or year-round throwing without adequate rest
Poor throwing mechanics or serving technique
Weakness in the shoulder, scapular or core muscles
Limited internal rotation of the shoulder, sometimes called glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD)
A history of previous shoulder injury

Talk with an orthopedic and sports medicine specialist if any of these factors apply to you.

Diagnosis

Our orthopedic and sports medicine specialists use a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to diagnose throwing injuries. Your evaluation may include a detailed review of your symptoms, activity level and medical history, along with a physical exam to assess strength, stability and range of motion. X-rays can evaluate bone alignment and rule out fractures, while MRI, CT scan or ultrasound can help identify soft tissue injuries such as labral tears or rotator cuff damage. Our specialists take time to explain your diagnosis clearly so you understand your condition and your options.

A medical illustration of a patient receiving an MRI.

What to expect during an MRI

Get a clear look at what an MRI is like, from how to prepare and what the machine looks and sounds like, to what to expect during and after your scan.

A medical illustration of a shoulder arthroscopy procedure.

What happens during an arthroscopy

See how shoulder arthroscopy is performed, what happens during the procedure and how it can help relieve pain and improve movement.

Videos in our patient education library are available to help you gain a general understanding of the condition or procedure. Read disclaimer.

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We offer leading-edge treatments for most sports medicine conditions, treating many with medications, bracing, injections and therapy.

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