Clinical trial NCT01065181: Youth Throwers Respond to Stretching
Official title: Shoulder Posterior Capsular Contracture in Youth Baseball Players: It Can be Improved by Stretching
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: UNKNOWN
Conditions: Shoulder Posterior Capsular Contracture
Keywords: shoulder
posterior inferior glenohumeral ligament
posterior capsule
capsular contracture
baseball
throwing injury
Lead sponsor: Metzger, Charles, M.D.
Sponsor class: INDIV
First posted: 2010-02-09
Enrollment: 1261
Sex: MALE
Minimum age (years): 8
Maximum age (years): 15
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Observational model: COHORT
Time perspective: CROSS_SECTIONAL
Sampling method: NON_PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: 1261 male baseball players ages 8 to 15

Brief summary: The purpose of this study is to document the rates of youth baseball player demographics, incidence of arm pain, usage of different pitch types, and degree of internal rotation contracture in the throwing versus the non-throwing shoulder. We followed a subgroup of players for a year to see if a particular stretch would help reduce the internal rotation contracture.

Detailed description: Introduction: Overhead throwing can cause contracture of the shoulder posterior-inferior glenohumeral ligament which can lead to injuries such as superior labral tears. We show that instruction on stretching can favorably alter progression of posterior contractures.

Methods: 1261 male baseball players ages 7-15 completed a questionnaire and shoulder examinations. Measurements of rotation of both shoulders were made with the subjects in the supine position with the scapula stabilized. Glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) was calculated. Pitch type and player position, among other variables, were recorded. The prospective cohort was 175 players who were examined twice a year apart. Players with excessive GIRD (exGIRD) were given stretching instruction, and the control group was those without exGIRD who were not given instruction. Change in GIRD as a result of this intervention was documented.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* male
* baseball player
* ages 8 to 15

Exclusion Criteria:

* female (suspected hormonal/gender influences on capsular elasticity)
* prior throwing arm surgery

Primary outcomes:
measure: Degree of decrease in internal rotation contracture of the shoulder
timeFrame: One year
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
Study officials:
affiliation: Memorial Hermann Health System
name: Charles L Metzger, MD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
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