Upper-Extremity Injuries Have the Poorest Return to Play and Most Time Lost in Professional Baseball: A Systematic Review of Injuries in Major League Baseball

Current State of Baseball Interval Throwing Programs: A Systematic Review of Content, Structure, and Variability of Published Throwing Programs

CONTEXT

There is need for an up-to-date comprehensive review of baseball interval throwing programs in the literature.

OBJECTIVE

To (1) understand the origin and basis of interval throwing programs; (2) evaluate the content of programs in the peer-reviewed literature including target audience, initiation criteria, throwing specifics, arm care, and performance evaluation metrics; (3) classify these variables as well defined, ambiguous, or missing; and (4) analyze variability in key aspects including starting criteria, length, progression, and completion criteria.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Embase, Cochrane Reviews, Web of Science, and ScopusStudy Selection:The full text of studies, in English, had to be available. Included studies had to contain a complete interval throwing program designed for baseball players.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 4.

DATA EXTRACTION

Initial screening was conducted based on article title and abstract. Full text of the remaining articles was evaluated for fulfillment of inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

Nine studies initially met inclusion criteria. The programs' comprehensiveness was poor, with a mean Interval Throwing Program Checklist score of 20 (range 14-23) on a scale of 0 to 30. There were a variety of components, including progressive long toss, weighted ball, and throwing mechanics exercises. The programs identified had significant heterogeneity in duration, intensity, progression, and focus. Overall, there was a significant lack of attempts at validation or formal study of efficacy for published throwing programs.

CONCLUSION

Current published interval throwing programs are mostly variations of an original program published many years ago and were based on principles of progressive loading with pain as sign of injury that should be monitored carefully. However, these programs have minimal clinical validation and objective measures to quantify their effectiveness. This work identifies several limitations in the current literature and can serve as a foundation for future development of evidence-based interval throwing programs.

Examining the changes in strength and mechanical property of dynamic stabilizers of the medial elbow joint through repetitive pitching

BACKGROUND

The flexor-pronator muscles (FPM) and their common tendon (CT) are essential in protecting the medial ulnar collateral ligament against elbow valgus stress during pitching. This study aimed to investigate the effect of repetitive pitching on FPM strength and CT stiffness.

METHODS

Fifteen healthy males (mean age: 21.8 ± 1.3 years old) with over 5 years of baseball experience performed a series of 100 full-effort fastball pitches. We measured grip and isolated digital flexion strength of the second, third, and fourth digits before and after the pitching task. The decline in muscle strength was determined using the rate of change in muscle strength after pitching relative to that before. CT stiffness was measured using a hand-held myotonometer device at rest and during grip motion at 50% maximum voluntary contraction. The increase in CT stiffness during grip motion relative to rest was calculated as the augmentation rate of CT stiffness. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the changes in grip strength, digital flexion strength, and CT stiffness due to pitching. Additionally, the reduction rate of muscle strength was compared among various strength variables. Correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the relationships between the augmentation rate of CT stiffness after pitching and the reduction rate in any muscle strength.

RESULTS

Grip and isolated digital flexion strengths decreased significantly after pitching (P < .01). The decline in muscle strength was significantly higher for all isolated digital strengths than that for grip strength (P < .05). CT stiffness was augmented with grip motion compared to that at rest pre- and postpitching (P < .001). However, no change in CT stiffness due to pitching was observed, regardless of the grip motion (P > .05). Additionally, a lower augmentation rate of CT stiffness after pitching was moderately associated with the greater reduction rate of the second digital flexion strength (r = 0.607, P = .016) without other relationships.

CONCLUSION

This study found reduced grip and digital flexion strength after pitching; with no change in CT stiffness. However, given the consequences of correlation analyses, individuals with a more prominent reduction in second digital flexion strength due to pitching were impaired in CT stiffness augmentation after pitching. Digital flexion strength represents the strength of the flexor digitorum superficial; therefore, this study suggests that forearm FPM, particularly the second digit of the flexor digitorum superficial, is an important factor for enhancing CT stiffness.

Evaluating Return to Sports Following Total Hip Arthoplasty With Custom Stems in Professional and Recreational Table Tennis Players

Background

Table tennis players execute short explosive movements, along with continuous hip flexion, abduction, and rotation, increasing their risk of injury. Previous studies reported a rate of return to sports (RTS) of 20% to 80% in athletes following total hip arthroplasty (THA). There are no studies reporting RTS in table tennis players following THA.

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical outcomes and RTS following custom THA in professional, ex-professional, and recreational table tennis players.

Study design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

Patients who underwent primary THA between April 2013 and January 2022 were retrospectively reviewed (n = 2977). Table tennis players of any level that received a custom femoral stem were included in the study (N = 17). At a minimum follow-up of 2 years, all players were assessed using the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score, as well as with a sports-specific questionnaire that included questions related to their table tennis practice. Descriptive statistics, including medians and interquartile ranges, were used to summarize the data.

Results

All 17 players (22 hips) were available at ≥2 years, of which 3 were professional (5 hips), 4 were ex-professional (6 hips), and 10 were recreational (11 hips). The median OHS was 44.0 (IQR, 44.0-48.0) in professional, 48.0 (IQR, 48.0-48.0) in ex-professional, and 48.0 (IQR, 45.0-48.0) in recreational players. The median FJS was 92.0 (IQR, 88.0-98.0) in professional, 98.0 (IQR, 98.0-98.0) in ex-professional, and 100.0 (IQR, 93.0-100.0) in recreational players. The median UCLA activity score was 10.0 (IQR, 9.0-10.0) in professional, 9.0 (IQR, 9.0-9.8) in ex-professional, and 8.0 (IQR, 5.5-9.0) in recreational players. The rate of RTS was 100% for professional and ex-professional players, and 80% for recreational players. The hours played before onset of symptoms was higher than following surgery for professional (30.0 [IQR, 25.0-30.0] vs 20.0 [IQR, 16.0-22.5] h/week) and ex-professional players (19.5 [IQR, 11.0-29.3] vs 3.0 [IQR, 2.0-5.5] h/week), while it was constant for recreational players (4.0 [IQR, 2.3-4.0] vs 4.0 [IQR, 3.8-4.5] h/week).

Conclusion

Our retrospective analysis demonstrated that at a minimum follow-up of 2 years THA using custom stems provided good to excellent clinical outcomes in professional, ex-professional, and recreational table tennis players. All professional and ex-professional players, as well as 80% of recreational players, were able to return to play table tennis, although both professional and ex-professional players reduced their number of hours of play compared with before surgery. These findings could be used to help set expectations for table tennis players who are scheduled to undergo THA.

Upper extremity orthopedic softball injuries presenting to the emergency department: epidemiology across the lifespan

BACKGROUND

Softball is a popular lifetime sport due to its inclusion of both fastpitch and slowpitch varieties, although associated injuries are common.

OBJECTIVE

To compare softball injury rates across patient sex, age, race, injury location, mechanism, and activity.

METHODS

The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was queried for all upper extremity softball injuries in patients 10-85+ years old presenting to United States emergency departments between 2012 and 2021.

RESULTS

Significantly more of the 178,303 total weighted upper extremity injuries occurred in female (68.1%) than male (31.9%) athletes (p < .001). Male patients (mean 34.9 ± 13.6 years) were older than female patients (17.4 ± 8.4; p = .019). The average incidence rate of UE injuries from 2012-2021 was 187.9 per 100,000 persons, with a significant decrease in injury incidence across the timespan (p < .001). The lowest annual injury incidence (74.7 per 100,000 persons) occurred in 2020. In patients 10-18 years old, female patients accounted for 95.1% of all injuries, whereas male patients accounted for 72.1% of all injuries in patients aged ≥23. Compared to male patients, females more frequently experienced hand (p < .001), lower arm (p = .007), shoulder (p < .001), and wrist (p < .001) injuries in patients 10-18 years old, finger (p < .001), upper arm (p = .016), and wrist (p < .001) injuries in patients 19-22, and finger injuries (p < .001) in patients aged 23 +. Across all ages, the greatest proportion of injuries were treated and released (p < .001). Most injuries occurred while fielding (41.8%) and due to player-ball contact (36.8%).

CONCLUSION

Softball injury ED presentations declined across a decade, including a precipitous drop and rebound effect due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the lifespan, upper extremity injuries progressively shifted from female-predominant in younger athletes to male-predominant in adults.

Batter's Shoulder: Diagnosis, Management, and Outcomes

Batter's shoulder is characterized by posterior shoulder instability in the lead (front) shoulder of a batting athlete. This most commonly occurs as a discrete event, particularly a swing and miss at an outside pitch, which leads to an episode of shoulder subluxation. A thorough history and physical examination is key to diagnosis, with patients feeling pain and instability of the lead shoulder when attempting the baseball swing or during pushing-type activities, as well as positive posterior labral signs in tests such as the Kim, jerk, and modified dynamic labral shear tests. Magnetic resonance imaging can confirm the diagnosis of posterior labral tear and may show concomitant pathologies such as a reverse Hill-Sachs lesion. Nonsurgical treatment is directed at rotator cuff and scapular strengthening; however, arthroscopic posterior labral repair is often required for definitive stabilization. Overall, this is a relatively rare diagnosis, but outcomes of surgical repair are favorable with high satisfaction and rates of return to competition.

Shoulder Injury Incidence and Epidemiology in Youth, High School, and Collegiate Fastpitch Softball Players: A Systematic Review and Future Research Perspectives

CONTEXT

Fastpitch softball is one of the most popular sports in the United States among young female athletes. Softball players regularly subject their shoulders to extreme range of motion and high velocity movements. To date, no systematic review has reported on the epidemiology and incidence of shoulder injuries in softball players.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the incidence and epidemiology of softball-related shoulder injuries in youth, high school, and collegiate female softball players.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched for relevant English language articles from 1980 to 2023.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies selected based on predefined inclusion criteria. Studies were required to be available full text, in English.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 4.

DATA EXTRACTION

A preliminary screening was performed based on study title and abstract. In the subsequent screening, the full text versions of the remaining articles were evaluated by 2 reviewers for the fulfillment of the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 7 articles met criteria for inclusion. All studies evaluated injuries among softball players for at least 1 season. In total, there were 1107 softball-related shoulder injuries reported in the 7 studies included in this systematic review. Of the 3 studies that included a shoulder injury rate, a mean rate of 4.01 shoulder injuries per 10,000 athlete-exposures was calculated. The 2 most common shoulder injuries were shoulder muscle-tendon strains (297) and shoulder/biceps tendinitis (220).

CONCLUSION

High-level prospective studies reporting injury incidence and risk factors among female softball players are extremely limited. Only 2 studies eligible for inclusion in this systematic review were prospective in nature, with neither of these reporting the specific injury rate for shoulder injuries among softball players.

Criteria, Timing, and Factors Associated With Return to Competitive Sport After Rotator Cuff Surgery

Rotator cuff pathology in competitive athletes is common and may produce chronic symptoms and joint disability, impairing sports participation and leading to premature retirement. Athletes are a high-functioning patient population with unique characteristics. Decision-making for return to sport is a complex and multifactorial process. Literature is sparse and does not provide precise guidelines to assist physicians to make the right decision. This review aimed to highlight factors affecting outcome, timing, and criteria for return to competitive sport after rotator cuff surgery to help physicians to clearly counsel athletes and make high-quality decisions for return to sport.

Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair With Internal Brace Using Linked Knotless Suture Anchors

This article presents an adaptation of the internal brace ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) repair technique using knotless suture anchors, which shows promise for improved postsurgical functionality and a shortened recovery period in patients with UCL injuries. Traditional methods of UCL reconstruction often require a lengthy 12- to 18-month recovery period, presenting a significant challenge for athletes keen to return to their sport. The modified technique uses smaller sutures and drill holes, thereby eliminating the need for larger anchors and simplifying the surgical process. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive exploration of the rehabilitation protocol involved after surgery, which includes various phases of physical therapy and use of the "thrower's ten" program to improve shoulder and elbow stability, strength, and mobility. This technique paves the way for a promising alternative to traditional UCL reconstruction or repair methods, with the potential to significantly enhance clinical outcomes, improve recovery times, and positively impact athletes' lives.

Return to Play After Hook of Hamate Fracture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

In athletes, a hook of hamate fracture is concerning in terms of time to return to sport and effect on performance upon return. This study aims to analyze the treatment of hook of hamate fractures in athletes to determine their rates of return to play, timelines of recovery, and performance level upon return to play. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to perform this analysis. The PubMed database was queried to perform the literature search. Data were pooled and analyzed. P values <.05 were considered significant. Data were analyzed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software to determine heterogeneity. Twenty studies with 823 patients sustaining hook of hamate fractures that reported any competitive level of play were included in the analysis. Of the 823 patients, 778 (94.5%) were able to return to play with 91.2% (506/555) of patients demonstrating similar or improved performance. The mean time to return to play was 45 days (range: 21-168 days). Treatment included surgical excision for 787 patients (95.6%), open reduction and internal fixation for 18 patients (2.2%), stress reduction/casting for 13 patients (1.6%), and loss to follow-up or surgery refusal for 5 patients (0.6%). A very high number of athletes return to play following a hook of hamate fracture at the same or improved level of performance. In our study, the majority of injuries were treated with surgical excision of the fractured hook of hamate fragment. Most athletes returned to their sport at an average of 45 days.

Editorial Commentary: Understanding Injury Epidemiology Builds Trust in Baseball Players

Although the odds are extremely low, some baseball players are fortunate to make it to the professional ranks (minor or major league), where suffering an injury is common. During the 2011 to 2019 seasons, 112,405 injuries were reported in the Major League Baseball Health and Injury Tracking System database. Compared with other professional sports, baseball players have lower rates of returning to play, take longer to return to play, and have shorter careers after shoulder arthroscopy. By understanding injury epidemiology, the treating physician will gain player trust and understand the prognosis and how to properly return the player safely back to the field and best prolong their career.