Does High Medial Elbow Stress During Pitching Compromise the Dynamic Stabilizers of The Elbow?

Background: The flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) are thought to provide dynamic stability to the medial elbow, with a lesser contribution from the pronator teres (PT).

Hypothesis/purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if baseball pitchers with higher valgus elbow torque experience greater FCU and FDS strength loss.

Study Design: Controlled Laboratory Study.

Role of Pelvis and Trunk Biomechanics in Generating Ball Velocity in Baseball Pitching.

Orishimo, KF, Kremenic, IJ, Mullaney, MJ, Fukunaga, T, Serio, N, and McHugh, MP. Role of pelvis and trunk biomechanics in generating ball velocity in baseball pitching. J Strength Cond Res 37(3): 623-628, 2023-The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of pelvis rotation velocity, trunk rotation velocity, and hip-shoulder separation on ball velocity during baseball pitching.

ASSESSMENT OF HUMERAL TORSION BY PALPATION IN BASEBALL PITCHERS: A VALIDATION STUDY.

Background/purpose: Greater humeral retroversion has been associated with shoulder and elbow injuries. Methods for measuring torsion include radiography, computed tomography (CT) and sonography (US) which may be costly or unavailable. A palpation method might be a reliable alternative to imaging techniques.

Accelerated Muscle Recovery in Baseball Pitchers Using Phase Change Material Cooling.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to document recovery after a pitching performance and determine whether prolonged postgame phase change material (PCM) cooling of the shoulder and forearm accelerates recovery.

Methods: Strength, soreness, and serum creatine kinase (CK) activity were assessed before and on the 2 d after pitching performances in 16 college pitchers. Pitchers were randomized to receive either postgame PCM cooling packs on the shoulder and forearm or no cooling (control).

EMG OF SHOULDER MUSCLES DURING REACTIVE ISOMETRIC ELASTIC RESISTANCE EXERCISES.

Background: Traditionally, shoulder isometrics are introduced in the early stages of shoulder rehabilitation. A patient's isometric torque output is based on a subjective perception of force generation. By utilizing elastic resistance elongation (strain) to standardize force output, clinicians could prescribe shoulder therapeutic isometrics based on % maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC).

CURRENT CONCEPTS AND TREATMENT OF PATELLOFEMORAL COMPRESSIVE ISSUES.

Patellofemoral disorders, commonly encountered in sports and orthopedic rehabilitation settings, may result from dysfunction in patellofemoral joint compression. Osseous and soft tissue factors, as well as the mechanical interaction of the two, contribute to increased patellofemoral compression and pain. Treatment of patellofemoral compressive issues is based on identification of contributory impairments.

Functional Outcomes After Double-Row Versus Single-Row Rotator Cuff Repair: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

Background: The functional benefits of double-row (DR) versus single-row (SR) rotator cuff repair are not clearly established.

Purpose: To examine the effect of DR versus SR rotator cuff repair on functional outcomes and strength recovery in patients with full-thickness tears.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2.

The Effect of a High Pitch Volume on Musculoskeletal Adaptations in High School Baseball Pitchers.

Background: Shoulder range of motion and strength adaptations occur at an early age in baseball pitchers.

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of pitch volume on in-season and year-to-year range of motion (ROM) and strength adaptations in high school baseball pitchers. The hypothesis was that a high pitch volume will not affect range of motion asymmetries but will impair supraspinatus strength.

Risk Factors for Shoulder and Elbow Injuries in High School Baseball Pitchers: The Role of Preseason Strength and Range of Motion.

Background: Shoulder strength and motion deficits in high school baseball pitchers have been implicated in injury risk.

Purpose/hypothesis: To prospectively determine if preseason strength and range of motion (ROM) are predictive of injury in high school baseball pitchers. It was hypothesized that ROM asymmetries and weakness would be predictive of injury.

Reliability of shoulder range of motion comparing a goniometer to a digital level.

The clinical use of digital levels, for joint measurement, may be a viable alternative to standard goniometry. The purpose of this study was to determine the intra- and intertester reliability of a construction grade digital level compared to the standard universal goniometer for measurements for active assisted shoulder range of motion (ROM). Two experienced physical therapists measured shoulder flexion, external rotation (ER), and internal rotation (IR) ROM bilaterally, on two different occasions, in 20 patients (9 males, 11 females, 18-79 years old) with unilateral shoulder pathology, using a goniometer and a digital level.

Adaptations in single-leg hop biomechanics following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

When a patient performs a clinically normal hop test based on distance, it cannot be assumed that the biomechanics are similar between limbs. The objective was to compare takeoff and landing biomechanics between legs in patients who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Kinematics and ground reaction forces were recorded as 13 patients performed the single-leg hop on each leg.

Effect of knee flexion angle on Achilles tendon force and ankle joint plantarflexion moment during passive dorsiflexion.

Early mobilization exercises are advocated following Achilles tendon (AT) repair, but forces on the repair during passive range of motion are unknown. The extent to which these forces change with flexion of the knee is also not known. Estimated AT forces were measured using 3 models: cadaveric, uninjured subjects, and in both legs of subjects 6 weeks following unilateral AT repair.

Clinical outcomes of coracoclavicular ligament reconstructions using tendon grafts.

Background: Numerous techniques for reconstruction of the coracoclavicular ligaments have been developed to treat acromioclavicular joint separations. A new, stronger method to reconstruct the coracoclavicular ligaments using semitendinosus tendon allografts has been previously described. No outcome studies have been published on this new procedure.

Shoulder musculature activity and stabilization during upper extremity weight-bearing activities.

Background: Upper extremity weight-bearing exercises are routinely used in physical therapy for patients with shoulder pathology. However, little evidence exists regarding the demand on the shoulder musculature.

Objective: To examine changes in shoulder muscle activity and center of pressure during upper extremity weight-bearing exercises of increasing difficulty.

The effectiveness of a balance training intervention in reducing the incidence of noncontact ankle sprains in high school football players.

Background: A high body mass index and previous ankle sprains have been shown to increase the risk of sustaining noncontact inversion ankle sprains in high school football players.

Hypothesis: Stability pad balance training reduces the incidence of noncontact inversion ankle sprains in football players with increased risk.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Weakness in end-range plantar flexion after Achilles tendon repair.

Background: Separation of tendon ends after Achilles tendon repair may affect the tendon repair process and lead to postoperative end-range plantarflexion weakness.

Hypothesis: Patients will have disproportionate end-range plantarflexion weakness after Achilles tendon repair.

Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study.

The role of hip muscle function in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Background: Previous literature has associated hip weakness with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Hypothesis: Improvements in hip strength and flexibility are associated with a decrease in patellofemoral pain.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Risk factors for noncontact ankle sprains in high school football players: the role of previous ankle sprains and body mass index.

Background: In a previous study, we noted a possible connection between an athlete's weight and risk of ankle sprain.

Hypothesis: A high body mass index and a history of a previous ankle sprain increase the risk of a subsequent noncontact sprain.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Risk factors for noncontact ankle sprains in high school athletes: the role of hip strength and balance ability.

Background: Ankle sprains are among the most common sports injuries.

Hypothesis: Poor balance as measured on a balance board and weakness in hip abduction strength are associated with an increased risk of noncontact ankle sprains in high school athletes.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Upper and lower extremity muscle fatigue after a baseball pitching performance.

Background: Previous studies have estimated joint torques and electromyogram activity associated with the pitching motion. Although previous studies have investigated the influence of extended pitching (fatigue) on kinematic and kinetic parameters, no attempts have been made to quantify the fatigue associated with a pitching performance.

Purpose: Considering previous investigations on muscle activity during pitching, this study investigated muscle fatigue in upper and lower extremity muscle groups after a pitching performance.

A prospectively randomized double-blind study on the effect of initial graft tension on knee stability after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Background: No consensus exists on the amount of tension that should be applied to anterior cruciate ligament grafts to best facilitate graft incorporation and re-create normal knee mechanics.

Hypothesis: Differences in initial graft tension will affect postoperative knee stability.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

The effect of creatine supplementation on strength recovery after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

Background: Creatine supplementation has been shown to augment training-induced strength gains. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of creatine supplementation on recovery of muscle strength after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Hypothesis: Creatine supplementation will facilitate strength gains after ACL reconstruction.