2006 Swimmers Shoulder eMedicine Sports

Description: Swimmer's shoulder is the term used to describe the problem of shoulder pain in the competitive swimmer. Swimming is an unusual sport in that the shoulders and upper extremities are used for locomotion, while at the same time requiring above average shoulder flexibility and range of motion (ROM) for maximal efficiency. This is often associated with an undesirable increase in joint laxity. Furthermore, it is performed in a fluid medium, which offers more resistance to movement than air. This combination of unnatural demands can lead to a spectrum of overuse injuries seen in the swimmer's shoulder, the most common of which is rotator cuff tendinitis.
Synonyms and related keywords: multidirectional instability of the shoulder, impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendinitis
Sherwin SW Ho, MD 2006 Update 2010