Rotator Cuff Injuries in Tennis Players

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review presents epidemiology, etiology, management, and surgical outcomes of rotator cuff injuries in tennis players.Recent FindingsRotator cuff injuries in tennis players are usually progressive overuse injuries ranging from partial-thickness articular- or bursal-sided tears to full-thickness tears. Most injuries are partial-thickness articular-sided tears, while full-thickness tears tend to occur in older-aged players. The serve is the most energy-demanding motion in the sport, and it accounts for 45 to 60% of all strokes performed in a tennis match, putting the shoulder at increased risk of overuse injury and rotator cuff tears. Studies have shown deficits in shoulder range of motion and scapular dyskinesia to occur even acutely after a tennis match. First-line treatment for rotator cuff injuries in any overhead athlete consists of conservative non-operative management with appropriate rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, followed by a specific rehabilitation program. Operative treatment is usually reserved for older-aged players and to those who fail to return to play after conservative measures. Surgical options include rotator cuff debridement with or without tendon repair, biceps tenodesis, and labral procedures. Unlike rotator cuff repairs in the general population, repairs in the elite tennis athlete have less than ideal rates of return to sport to the same level of performance.SummaryRotator cuff injuries are a common cause of pain and dysfun...
Source: Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine - Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research