Shoulder Pain in a Female College Swimmer

Abstract

Management of shoulder pain in swimmers can be a difficult management problem. Similar to other overhead athletes, swimmers often acquire some degree of shoulder laxity due to the repetitive overhead motions. Overuse due to the excessive demands of swimming training can result in rotator cuff muscle fatigue and subsequent dysfunction, leading to altered shoulder kinematics and onset of shoulder pain. It is for these reasons that the recommended treatment be a comprehensive rehabilitation program. It is likely that intrinsic changes in microstructure and composition of the rotator cuff and biceps (tendinosis) may also contribute to pain, and further research is required to identify the most successful methods to treat painful tendinopathy.