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KEVIN E. WILK, PT, DPT, FAPTA1-3 • TODD R. HOOKS, PT, OCS, SCS, ATC, MOMT, MTC, CSCS, FAAOMPT4
LEONARD C. MACRINA, MSPT, SCS, CSCS1
T
he overhead throwing athlete’s range-of-motion the increase in shoulder
(ROM) characteristics have been well described ER and the loss of IR
SUPPLEMENTAL in the overhead athlete.
in the literature as having an increase in external
Copyright © 2013 Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy®. All rights reserved.
VIDEO ONLINE
These proposed causes
rotation (ER) and a decrease in internal rotation include osseous adapta-
(IR) in the throwing shoulder compared to the nonthrowing shoul tions,5,6,18 posterior capsular tightness at
der.2,7,25 Wilk et al25 have described the concept of “total range of motion” the glenohumeral joint,4,17,21 musculoten-
(TROM) of the shoulder, which states that the sum of ER and IR ROM dinous tightness of the posterior portion
of the rotator cuff and posterior deltoid,19
of the throwing shoulder should be with- was noted, with the dominant shoulder and postural changes.1 The loss of shoul-
in 5° of that of the opposite, nonthrowing having an increase in ER ROM and a der IR ROM in the overhead thrower
shoulder in the overhead athlete. Wilk et resultant loss in IR ROM, no significant has been referred to as glenohumeral
Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy®
al23 reported that the passive ROM of the side-to-side difference in TROM was internal rotation deficit (GIRD) and was
dominant shoulder in 369 professional noted in that population.23 originally described by Burkhart et al.4
baseball pitchers, when measured at 90° These authors originally described GIRD
of shoulder abduction, was 132° of ER Common Characteristics as any loss of IR ROM in the throwing
and 52° of IR. Although a shift in motion There are numerous reported causes for shoulder compared to the nonthrowing
shoulder. Burkhart et al4 suggested that
TTSYNOPSIS: Stretching techniques that focus on
GIRD may be a primary cause of shoul-
stretches. This clinical commentary reviews the
increasing posterior shoulder soft tissue flexibility literature on posterior shoulder stretches, de- der pain and shoulder disability in the
are commonly incorporated into prevention and scribes modifications to both of these commonly overhead thrower and encouraged the
treatment programs for the overhead athlete. performed stretches, and outlines a strategy to use of a stretching program for the pos-
The cross-body and sleeper stretch exercises maintain or improve posterior shoulder soft tissue terior shoulder structures, particularly
have been described as stretching techniques to flexibility and glenohumeral joint internal rotation the sleeper stretch, to restore IR ROM.
improve posterior shoulder soft tissue flexibility range of motion in the overhead athlete.
Myers et al16 found a GIRD of 19.7° in
TTLEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, level 5.
and to increase glenohumeral joint internal rota-
tion and horizontal adduction range of motion in throwers with pathologic internal im-
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2013;43(12):891-
the overhead athlete. But, based on the inability pingement; similarly, Wilk et al24 report-
894. Epub 30 October 2013. doi:10.2519/
to stabilize the scapula and control glenohumeral ed a GIRD of 18°, which correlated to a
jospt.2013.4990
joint rotation with the cross-body stretch and the 1.9-fold increase in injury risk. Based on
potential for subacromial impingement with the TTKEY WORDS: GIRD, glenohumeral internal
these studies, Kibler et al9 have reported
sleeper stretch, the authors recommend modi- rotation deficit, overhead athlete, posterior
fications to both of these commonly performed shoulder tightness GIRD to be a loss of 18° or greater of IR
in the throwing shoulder compared to the
1
Champion Sports Medicine, Birmingham, AL. 2Rehabilitative Research, American Sports Medicine Institute, Birmingham, AL. 3Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay, FL. 4Drayer Physical
Therapy Institute, Columbus, MS. The authors certify that they have no affiliations with or financial involvement in any organization or entity with a direct financial interest in the
subject matter or materials discussed in the article. Address correspondence to Dr Kevin E. Wilk, Champion Sports Medicine, 805 St Vincent’s Drive, Suite G100, Birmingham,
AL 35205. E-mail: kwilkpt@hotmail.com t Copyright ©2013 Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy®
journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy | volume 43 | number 12 | december 2013 | 891
892 | december 2013 | volume 43 | number 12 | journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy
with modifications to each. The modi- namic flexibility drills, such as plyomet-
fied sleeper stretch is performed with rics and quick movements, directly prior
the athlete in a sidelying position, trunk to throwing activities. But, based on our
rolled posteriorly 20° to 30°, and shoul- clinical experience, in overhead athletes
der elevated to 90°. In this position, pas- with shoulder pain and posterior shoul-
Copyright © 2013 Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy®. All rights reserved.
sive IR is performed using the opposite der tightness, the stretches should be
arm (FIGURE 1, ONLINE VIDEO). This modified FIGURE 4. Modified cross-body stretch. (A and B) performed for 30 seconds and repeated at
sleeper stretch is designed to minimize The athlete stabilizes the scapula against the table as least 8 to 10 times for each stretch. Moore
symptoms of pain that can occur with the shoulder is horizontally adducted, while external et al14 have reported utilizing a muscle
rotation is restricted via counterpressure of the
the shoulder in a 90° flexed position.13 energy technique to enhance the effects
opposite forearm.
This trunk position also orients the hu- of the stretch. We frequently incorporate
merus in the scapular plane, which has muscle energy techniques to augment
been shown to place increased strain on The cross-body stretch is often per- the manual stretch of the athlete into
the posterior capsule.3,8 To better assist formed with the athlete in an upright horizontal adduction, as this stretch has
Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy®
the patient in proper body positioning, a standing position (FIGURE 3), using the been shown to increase both horizontal
clinician may prefer to place a hand on opposite hand to horizontally adduct the adduction and IR.14 However, the authors
the patient’s scapula to assist the patient targeted shoulder. This method has the do not commonly perform muscle energy
into the quarter-turn. However, to better disadvantage of not providing scapula techniques for the external rotators, as
isolate the stretch to the infraspinatus, stabilization while the humerus is hori- the authors agree that, clinically, similar
the clinician may increase the amount of zontally adducted. Consequently, acces- to the findings by Moore and colleagues,14
horizontal adduction by placing a towel sory abduction of the scapula occurs, this technique does not seem to increase
under the athlete’s humerus, which is be- which prevents isolating the intended IR ROM.
lieved to better isolate the target tissues stretch to the posterior aspect of the gle-
(FIGURE 2).15 Although the incorporation nohumeral joint. In addition, it allows the SUMMARY
of the horizontal adduction via the use of humerus to externally rotate as the shoul-
M
a towel roll essentially places the shoul- der moves into the outer ranges of motion aintaining optimal soft tissue
der in a 90° flexed position, as with the and tension is generated in the external flexibility of the posterior shoulder
sleeper stretch, instructing the athlete to rotators of the shoulder posteriorly. The in the throwing athlete is critical
lie with the trunk rolled posteriorly 20° authors believe that by not stabilizing the to reduce the risk of injury. Because the
to 30° and avoiding the direct sidelying scapula and allowing excessive ER of the exact tissue that causes the pathophysi-
position may minimize the complaints of humerus to occur, optimal stretch of the ological loss in shoulder mobility in this
shoulder irritation frequently reported posterior shoulder is not achieved. In ad- population varies between osseous ad-
clinically as a result of the athlete lying dition, it creates scapular abduction and aptations, posterior capsular tightness,
directly on the shoulder. The authors IR, which are not desired. Therefore, to musculotendinous tightness, and pos-
have found that patients tolerate the restrict scapular abduction, we suggest tural (scapular) adaptations, it is impor-
placement of the towel roll much bet- having the athlete in a sidelying position, tant that the clinician continually assess
ter than the sleeper stretch with rollover and, to restrict ER of the humerus, we and adjust the treatment strategies as
position. suggest aligning the forearms together deemed appropriate.9 The goal of this
journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy | volume 43 | number 12 | december 2013 | 893
11. Laudner KG, Stanek JM, Meister K. Assess- The stabilizing function of passive shoulder
ing posterior shoulder contracture: the restraints. Am J Sports Med. 1991;19:26-34.
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Copyright © 2013 Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy®. All rights reserved.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11999-012-2265-z
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@ MORE INFORMATION
vies GJ, Brown SW. Glenohumeral joint total Lephart SM. Glenohumeral range of motion defi-
rotation range of motion in elite tennis play- cits and posterior shoulder tightness in throwers
ers and baseball pitchers. Med Sci Sports with pathologic internal impingement. Am J WWW.JOSPT.ORG
894 | december 2013 | volume 43 | number 12 | journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy