| A high school athlete should never shrug off a | | | | school sports, which it occurring most frequently |
| shoulder injury. The shoulder is one of the most | | | | among baseball pitchers. Other common athletes who |
| important joints on the body. Athletes need the | | | | experience it include golfers, swimmers, and football |
| shoulder to throw a ball or other object, block an | | | | quarterbacks. Shoulder injuries can also include a |
| opponent, maintain their balance, and so on. | | | | dislocated shoulder, a separated shoulder, and the |
| Unfortunately, all of these activities can result in a | | | | most common shoulder fracture: fractured collarbone. |
| variety of shoulder injuries, ranging from slight to major. | | | | One of the most crucial steps to take after suffering |
| The key is to recognize such injuries, treat them | | | | from an acute shoulder injury is to rest the shoulder. |
| properly, and to the best of a high school athlete's | | | | And if certain movements are causing the pain, the |
| ability-prevent them. | | | | high school athlete should cease those movements |
| What makes the shoulder joint special? One of its | | | | immediately! Within the first three days after suffering |
| main features is that there's less bone-to-bone contact | | | | the injury, the athlete should ice the shoulder for 20 |
| within the shoulder joint, than with other joints in the | | | | minutes, on multiple occasions throughout the day. |
| human body. What does that mean? There's a | | | | Then he or she should seek assistance from a |
| greater dependence on muscle, cartilage, and so on, in | | | | physical therapist. Within time, the athlete should start |
| reducing the impact of stress on the joint's motion. And | | | | doing some basic motions needed in the sport, at a |
| that means that there's a greater risk of soft tissue | | | | gradual pace. More severe shoulder injuries will require |
| becoming damaged. The shoulder's bones include the | | | | one or more operations. These operations can be |
| humerus, the shoulder blade, and the collarbone. | | | | quite complex (and pricey), so an athlete should first |
| Arguably, the breastbone should also be included as a | | | | consult his or her physician before undergoing an |
| shoulder bone. Essentially the shoulder consists of four | | | | operation. |
| different joints that function as one unit. | | | | The good news is that you can take steps to reduce |
| Different causes of shoulder injuries exist. One is an | | | | your likelihood of suffering from shoulder injuries. For |
| overhead motion. This involves the athlete's hand and | | | | instance, you can increase the strength and flexibility of |
| forearm being stretched as far as possible from the | | | | your upper body. Also, when using your upper body to |
| body. Another major cause of shoulder injuries in high | | | | perform certain movements in your support, make |
| school athletes is repetitive movement. This can result | | | | sure to use the correct body mechanics. That will not |
| in injuries such as rotator cuff injury, tendinitis, and over | | | | only help to prevent shoulder injuries, but will also |
| time--osteoarthritis. Another shoulder injury involves a | | | | improve the quality of your game! And finally, always |
| shoulder being struck, such as via a shock or a fall. | | | | perform stretches and warm-ups before a practice |
| A rotator cuff injury is particularly common in high | | | | session, game, or match. |