Volleyball Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries can plague volleyball players, especially hitters. This is because volleyball is an overhead sport, meaning the arm is often over the athlete's head (see Reference 2).
    • Kerri Walsh demonstrating a spike in an 'overhead' sport.

    Rotator Cuff Injury

    • "Sports which involve a lot of shoulder rotation" such as volleyball can result in stress being put on the muscles of the rotator cuff (see Reference 3). With too much stress on the shoulder, the result could be inflammation or tearing of the muscle or tendons (see Reference 3).

    Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Injury

    • According to mayoclinic.com, symptoms of a rotator cuff injury include pain when your arm is above your head, decline in range of motion and weakness in your shoulder (see Reference 1). If you experience severe pain and can't move your arm, see a doctor.

    Suprascapular Neuropathy

    • Like rotator cuff injuries, suprascapular neuropathy occurs in athletes who participate in overhead sports (see Reference 2). According to sportsinjuryclinic.net, "injury can be a result of compression, traction or direct trauma to the [suprascapular] nerve." The nerve can also be stretched.

    Symptoms of Suprascapular Neuropathy

    • According to sportsinjuryclinic.net, symptoms of suprascapular neuropathy include an "aching or burning pain at the back and or side of the shoulder joint" and pain deep within the shoulder joint." Other symptoms include weakness through the shoulder joint and radiating pain (see Reference 2).

    Shoulder Dislocation

    • Rarely, shoulder dislocation might occur. (see Resource 1). According to sportsinjuryclinic.com, symptoms include "sudden onset of severe pain and often a feeling of the shoulder popping out." If this happens, medical attention should be found immediately.