Abstract
The shoulder complex provides greater freedom of motion than any other joint in the body at the expense of reduced stability. Shoulder joint movements include flexion-extension, abduction-adduction, circumduction, and rotation. They result from a complex interplay between static and dynamic stabilisers that require equilibrium and synchronicity.
Shoulder instability is a common problem in active populations, especially young athletes. It can occur in overhead throwing athletes (chronic overuse injuries), but more commonly occurs in contact athletes (acute traumatic dislocations). The contact sports most commonly associated with shoulder instability include rugby, football, wrestling and hockey.
This chapter analyses the clinical functional anatomy and biomechanics of shoulder structures, with some insight regarding their pathologic changes associated with shoulder instability in the athlete.
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Q&A
Q&A
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(1)
Why is the shoulder the most unstable joint in the body?
The humeral head is larger than the glenoid socket, thus unconstrained. It’s stability comes from the soft tissues and muscles.
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(2)
What are the roles of the rotator cuff muscles?
The rotator cuff muscles provide dynamic stability to the gleno-humeral joint and assist in movement by centralising the humeral head on the glenoid.
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(3)
Why is the shoulder inherently lax, with extensive motion in multiple planes?
The excessive mobility of the shoulder is to allow for overhead motions, particularly throwing. This was initially for hunting and survival, but now mainly for athletic activities.
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(4)
What are the roles of the scapulothoracic muscles?
The scapulothoracic muscles transfer the potential energy of the trunk to kinetic energy in the shoulder. The scapula is a key link in the kinetic chain between the trunk and the shoulder.
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Marcheggiani Muccioli, G.M., Giuseppe, C., Alberto, G., Stefano, Z., Maurilio, M. (2020). Clinical Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Sporting Shoulder. In: Funk, L., Walton, M., Watts, A., Hayton, M., Ng, C. (eds) Sports Injuries of the Shoulder. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23029-6_1
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