Controversies in the Overhead Athlete's Shoulder (AANA22)-Management of Latissimus & Teres Major Injuries in the Elite Throwing Athlete

Management of Latissimus & Teres Major Injuries in the Elite Throwing Athlete

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Brian Waterman discussed Latissimus dorsi and Teres major injuries in high-performance athletes, focusing on diagnosis, anatomy, and treatment. Such injuries, often underrecognized, range from strains to full avulsions and affect throwing motions, causing pain and performance loss. MRI aids but is not definitive; careful clinical and video assessment is essential. Conservative treatment yields high return-to-play rates but lacks long-term data. Surgery is considered for full-thickness or retracted tears, involving complex tendon repair with techniques like button fixation or dermal allograft for chronic cases. Rehabilitation is crucial, and outcomes are generally positive, though more research is needed.

Asset Caption

Brian R. Waterman, M.D.

Keywords

Latissimus dorsi injury

Teres major injury

high-performance athletes

diagnosis and treatment

rehabilitation and outcomes