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Anisa George
Margaret McCampbell
English 101

Shoulder Problems - Essay 3

Shoulder problems can happen to any gender, any race at any age. Shoulder injuries are
caused due to the high stress on the shoulders (Kyle and Kashif) and also due to breakdown
of soft tissues in the shoulder region (NIAMS). Athletes who participate in sports like
volleyball, swimming, tennis, some track and fields events and baseball are at a risk of
developing shoulder injuries quicker than anyone else. This is because each sport involve using
the shoulders to the extremes. Young athletes who play baseball are at higher risk of having
shoulder problems due to the stress on the muscles from over hand motions.
Baseball is an organized team sport where many children start playing at a young age.
Starting to play sports at a young age can help the child be active, have fun, build self-confidence
and learn. But when the sport gets intense and start getting competitive the young athlete start
facing problems. Such problems include shoulder injuries due to all the stress that is building up
in the shoulder. When a pitcher throws the ball, the person have to create a high level of energy
and in the lower extremities and truck to accelerate the ball to top velocity (Seroyer). When
such pressure is repeated on the body and shoulder overtime it can lead to overuse injuries.
Especially when an athletes start at a very young age the shoulder starts to weaken and loses its
Muscle strength. Especially when an athletes start at a very young age the shoulder starts to
weaken and loses its muscle strength

Overtime as the shoulder starts to weaken the child is going to be facing some
difficulties. Little League shoulder is a condition seen in young throwers as a result of the high
rotational stresses placed across the proximal humeral physis with repetitive throwing. Carson
and Gasser [4] described Little League shoulder in 23 male baseball players, mostly pitchers,
ages 1116 years old (May, Megan, and Julie Bishop). It can be very painful when throwing
hard. Cincinnati Children's says, Even though little league shoulder has a low risk of permanent
injury there is slight chance of early growth plate closure which means it can result in a shorter
arm. They also said Making sure the athlete takes rest when having little league shoulders is
important to look for issues that may cause future problems such as lack of muscle strength,
endurance and also faults in throwing mechanics.
In conclusion, shoulder injury is a condition that should be taken seriously and can
happen to anyone but being an athlete increase the risk. In sports like baseball many shoulder
injuries are caused due to the over hand throwing over constant period of time in a high speed.
Because young athletes are still growing, they are at a greater risk for injuries than adults. And
overdoing a sport can include injuries that impair growth, and may lead to long-term health
problems (A Guide to Safety for Young Athletes). These long-term health problems including
shoulder injuries and little league shoulders causing the child to lack self-confidence, not be
oactive and not have fun. It can also be very painful and cause the child to start taking pain
killers at very young and can even lead to many other problems.

Work cited
Anderson, Kyle, MD, and Kashif Ashfaq, MD. "Shoulder Injuries in the Throwing
Athlete." American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 1995. Web. Apr.-May 2015.
NIAMS. "Fast Facts about Shoulder Problems." USA.gov. National Institutes of Health,
n.d. Web. 13 May 2015.
Seroyer, Shane T. et al. Shoulder Pain in the Overhead Throwing Athlete. Sports
Health 1.2 (2009): 108120. PMC. Web. 14 May 2015.
"A Guide to Safety for Young Athletes." American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons,
1995. Web. Apr.-May 2015.
May, Megan, and Julie Bishop. "Shoulder Injuries In Young Athletes." Pediatric
Radiology 43. (2013): 135-140. Academic Search Premier. Web. 8 May 2015
Cincinnati Children's. "Health Topics." Little League Shoulder. Cincinnati Children's
Hospital Medical Center, 1999. Web. 14 May 2015.