Shoulder Injury From Swinging A Baseball Bat: Do I Need Surgery?

Beware This Common Baseball Injury

Despite the rise in popularity in sports like basketball and football, baseball continues to be America’s sport. Baseball has seen a 21% increase in participation in recent years. Nothing feels better than the bat connecting perfectly with a pitch. However, those repetitive swings of the baseball bat open players up to a shoulder injury. Shoulder injuries are one of the highest baseball-related injuries. Know what to do about these injuries, and when surgery is the best option.

Put your shoulder into it

Swinging a baseball bat involves heavy use of the arms and shoulders. The shoulder has a ball-and-socket joint that allows the arm to extend and rotate. Surrounding and protecting the joint are a group of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. At any time, one or more of these components can get injured. Is surgery needed? Well, that depends on the type of injury.

Does tendonitis require surgery?

Swinging that bat repeatedly during practice, then at the game, can cause damage. Shoulder tendonitis is a common baseball shoulder injury. Tendonitis is usually inflammation of the rotator cuff tendon due to overuse. The swollen tendon can get trapped between the surrounding muscles and ligaments. This makes the condition even more painful. Athletes with tendonitis feel pain, tenderness, and a reduced range of motion. In almost all cases, tendonitis can be treated without surgery. Doctors will prescribe a combination of ice, rest, and medication. In chronic cases, surgery is necessary to clear up any further damage.

Beware the torn rotator cuff

Rotator cuff tears are more frequent and more likely to happen. One bad swing of the baseball bat and a tendon can tear off the bone. Or, in some cases, wear and tear can cause the slightest of movements to result in a tendon tear. Whatever the reason, rotator cuff tears cause pain, tenderness, and weakness. If there is a partial tear, there would be no need for surgery. Full-thickness damages, however, need surgical help. If non-surgical treatment fails, a more in-depth look at the injury may also reveal a need for surgery.

Treating the swinging shoulder with surgery

If the athlete needs surgery, the doctor will use a minimally invasive technique to repair the tendon. This involves using a scope through a tiny incision to see the damage. Further micro incisions allow the surgeon to insert tools then to repair the ligament. Minimally invasive surgeries are quick, with faster recovery time. Afterward, the athlete will need extensive rehabilitation through pain management and physical therapy.

Surgery depends on the severity

A detailed check by a doctor can help determine if surgery is necessary. Using x-Rays or MRIs, the doctor can truly see the scope of the damage. At that point, the particular condition needs to be severe to warrant surgery. So if the athlete has severe tendonitis, a full tear rotator cuff, or broken bone, surgery is the next recommended step. For more guidance on shoulder injuries, speak with an orthopedic specialist.