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Return to Sport of the Overhead Athlete

Presented by Robert Donatelli

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Taking care of the shoulder in overhead throwing activities is a complex task. Dr. Robert Donatelli discusses the assessment of the shoulder to determine muscle deficits and soft tissue restrictions such as gross internal rotation deficit. Treatment approaches, pathologies, and rehabilitation are all covered in this encompassing course describing the best methods for returning the overhead athlete to sport. At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to address overhead throwing athlete pathologies including instability of the shoulder, understand how dynamic control and balance may produce pathology or support rehabilitation, and apply this material to specific case studies.

Meet your instructor

Robert Donatelli

From March of 2004 to August of 2004 Dr. Donatelli worked as a physical therapist on the PGA tour helping treat injuries sustained by the golf professionals. In addition, he has served as a Physical Therapy Consultant to the Montreal Expos, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Teams. Donatelli has lectured…

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Chapters & learning objectives

The Overhead Throwing Athlete Pathologies

1. The Overhead Throwing Athlete Pathologies

In this chapter, the pathologies of the overhead throwing shoulder are covered in depth. This includes labral tears, scapula dysfunction, and instability-impingement rotator cuff tears. Finally, Robert Donatelli will discuss strengthening exercises as an important part of rehabilitation.

Instability of the Shoulder

2. Instability of the Shoulder

This chapter provides an in-depth look into shoulder instability, focusing on instability-impingement rotator cuff tears. These include tears of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and the subscapularis. Concepts such as dynamic instability and gleno-humeral kinematics provide the participant with a thorough understanding of these conditions.

Dynamic Control and Balance

3. Dynamic Control and Balance

In order to fully understand and manage the return to sport of the overhead throwing athlete, this chapter provides the participant with a detailed analysis and understanding of the dynamic control and balance required to safely perform overhead throwing mechanics. It further summarizes important concepts in the overhead athlete’s rehabilitation process.

Case Studies

4. Case Studies

Join Dr. Donatelli in exploring specific case studies that bring additional relevance and application of the concepts discussed in this course.