in Anatomy, Diagnose & Treat, Shoulder injuries
Chris Mallac explores the role of the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa in the glenohumeral joint and provides diagnosis and treatment options. The subacromial-subdeltoid bursa (SASD) is a potentially pain-sensitive structure of the glenohumeral joint. Along with the rotator cuff tendons, it has been implicated as a primary pathology in painful shoulder conditions of overhead athletes (eg swimmers, weightlifters,... MORE
in Diagnose & Treat, Musculoskeletal injuries, Shoulder injuries, Uncommon injuries
Chris Mallac provides an insight into a particular and rare type of posterior labrum lesion known as the ‘Kim lesion’. Glenoid labrum injuries are common shoulder injuries in athletes and research shows that among these, posterior labral lesions form a significant proportion(1). The posterior labrum is particulary vulnerable in sports such as contact football players (NFL,... MORE
in Acute injuries, Overuse injuries, Shoulder injuries
Some studies report up to 33% of volleyball players suffer from suprascapular nerve pathology(27). Chris Mallac explains the anatomy and biomechanics that make this nerve vulnerable to injury. Injury to the suprascapular nerve (SSN) is a common cause of shoulder pain and weakness in the overhead athlete, and its aetiology is still poorly understood.... MORE
in Diagnose & Treat, Joint injuries, Shoulder injuries
Trevor Langford reviews the anatomy and biomechanics of the sternoclavicular joint, explains how joint dysfunction presents in athletes and non-athletes, and provides treatment options for a sternoclavicular joint sprain or dislocation. Injuries of the glenohumeral joint (GHJ) and the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) are commonly diagnosed, while injury to the sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) is frequently overlooked during... MORE
in Acute injuries, Email Newsletters, Musculoskeletal injuries, Shoulder injuries
Participation in combat sports continues to rise in the United States, especially in younger populations. According to an ESPN survey, 5.5 million teens and 3.2 million kids under 13 years-of-age, perform some type of mixed martial arts (MMA)(1). The incidence of injury from participation in MMA is between 22.9 and 28.6 per 100-fight encounters(1). Because more... MORE
in Diagnose & Treat, Shoulder injuries
In part two of this series, Chris Mallac outlines the imaging/radiology techniques used when diagnosing brachial plexus injuries, and the typical injury-management protocols. Recapping from part one, brachial plexus injuries (commonly known as‘stingers’ and ‘burners’) typically occur as a result of a fall onto the shoulder (such as falling from a bike or horse), contact... MORE
in Diagnose & Treat, Email Newsletters, Shoulder injuries
Admittedly most soccer related injuries are to the lower extremities. However a recent study by researchers at Brown University found that a rising number of soccer related injuries are suffered in the upper extremity(1). The study evaluated a sample of 100 hospital emergency departments from 1999 to 2016 and found that nearly a quarter (20.4%)... MORE
in Joint injuries, Masterclass, Overuse injuries, Shoulder injuries
Chris Mallac describes the anatomy and biomechanics of the infraspinatus, outlines some common injury mechanisms, and provides rehab ideas to improve strength and range of motion in this muscle. The infraspinatus (IS), a muscle of the glenohumeral joint, has multiple functions. These include shoulder external rotation, abduction, and stabilization. It works in conjunction with the... MORE
in Acute injuries, Shoulder injuries
Chris Mallac discusses the pathophysiology of brachial plexus injuries, how they occur in high-risk sports, and the typical signs and symptoms suffered by the athlete. Brachial plexus injuries (BPI) are a reasonably common injury in contact-sport athletes. These are typically referred to as ‘stingers’ and ‘burners’, and represent a transient and reversible peripheral neuropraxia of all... MORE
in Diagnose & Treat, Email Newsletters, Shoulder injuries
The shoulder’s rotator cuff consists of four small muscles doing a big job. Known as the SITS muscles, the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, trees minor, and subscapularis help keep the free-moving ball end of the humerus in the shallow glenoid fossa of the scapula (see figure 1). They attach on the ventral, dorsal, and superior portions of... MORE
