As a shoulder specialist, Dr. Bercik pours his passion into learning state-of-the-art methods and helping patients succeed with creative solutions. For residents of Aberdeen, PA, Dr. Michael Bercik and our experts at Lancaster Orthopedic Group should be your go-to orthopedic team to reach your goals.

Shoulder Specialist Aberdeen, PADid you know that Dr. Michael Bercik completed his residency and three additional fellowships to specialize in conditions of the shoulder? Dr. Michael Bercik goes above and beyond in everything he does, including his patient care. We ensure every patient has a multitude of options and is well-informed on how to take the next step to restore movement and maximize results. 

Common injuries for throwing athletes

Throwing athletes put high levels of strain on the shoulder. Because of this, many types of shoulder injuries are more common in throwing athletes than in other types of athletes. Throwing athletes include any athletes who throw as a main part of their sport. This includes baseball players, softball players, shot-putters, and more. Sports such as volleyball or tennis can also lead to similar injuries. 

Common injuries seen in throwing athletes include: 

Rotator cuff tendinitis and tears

The rotator cuff is one of the most highly stressed parts of the shoulder in throwing athletes. Despite this being a common injury, many athletes miss signs of a rotator cuff injury before the injury has progressed. This is because common rotator cuff symptoms include minor pain or discomfort, which can be mistaken for soreness or natural aches related to high intensity activity. However, not treating a rotator cuff injury early can prolong recovery time. 

Signs to look out for include pain when at rest, pain when lowering the arm, pain when lifting the arm, pain when lying on your shoulder, pain while performing daily tasks (example: brushing your hair), a cracking sensation, or a grinding sensation.

SLAP tears

SLAP tears occur when the top of the labrum rips. This often occurs from repetitive movements, such as throwing. Athletes that rapidly throw from overhead are at a higher risk of this injury. However, any athlete who repetitively uses the shoulder during activity is at risk of this injury. 

Signs to look out for include locking, grinding, catching, and popping sensations in the shoulder, along with decreased range of motion, weakness, difficulty lifting objects, and pain during movements.

Internal impingement

Internal impingement is common in young athletes and occurs when the rotator cuff tendon is pinched during the “cocking” phase of a throw. This is common in baseball players and is sometimes called “thrower’s shoulder.” The rotator cuff is typically pinched between the glenoid labrum and humeral head. Over time, this can lead to a rotator cuff tear or labral damage if not treated properly.

Shoulder instability

Shoulder instability is often caused by ligaments stretching over time due to repetitive throwing movements. When this happens, the upper arm bone (humeral head) slips more easily out of the shoulder socket. Athletes may experience weakness in their throws, pain, feelings of instability in the shoulder, and numbness.

Let’s work together!

Dr. Michael Bercik is a board-certified orthopedic shoulder specialist with years of experience performing complex procedures to treat complex conditions in the Aberdeen, PA area. When you work with our team at Lancaster Orthopedic Group, you can expect the best. To get started today, use the “Schedule An Appointment” link in the top right of the website or call (866) 564-1000.