Pediatric Upper Extremity Injuries in Sports Part 1

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How is the pediatric athlete different from the older, or skeletally mature, athlete? Over three of the last four decades, sports injuries in adolescent youth have skyrocketed. Over a quarter of all childhood injuries are due to sports. In Part One of this two-part series on pediatric upper extremity injuries, Dr. Michael Fink presents the most common upper extremity injuries that affect young, skeletally immature athletes. Participants will learn preventative measures they can use to help pediatric athletes avoid upper extremity injuries. Dr. Fink provides a detailed examination of shoulder girdle injuries, Little League Shoulder, and Pitching Guidelines for pediatric athletes. By the end of this course, participants will be able to demonstrate knowledge of select assessment and rehabilitation techniques for these conditions.

Meet your instructor

Michael Fink

Dr. Michael Fink is a former Air Force physical therapist that is dual board-certified in Orthopedics and Sports. He is an Associate Professor and Department Chair of PT at Lebanon Valley College, national lecturer, published researcher, and winner of numerous PT awards. Dr. Fink teaches differential diagnosis, manual…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. Overcommitted and Underdeveloped

In the first chapter of this course, Overcommitted and Underdeveloped, Dr. Michael Fink reviews the risk factors leading to upper extremity injuries in skeletally immature athletes. He discusses the three main factors that contribute to risk of injury for pediatric athletes, including age, sports specialization, and volume of play.

2. Shoulder Girdle Injuries

In this chapter, Dr. Michael Fink identifies common pathologies in pediatric athletes involving the Acromioclavicular Joint and proximal humerus. He demonstrates select shoulder girdle assessment and treatment techniques with a young throwing athlete.

3. Little League Shoulder

Chapter 3 reviews Little League Shoulder, beginning with its signs and symptoms. Participants will learn treatments, including rest from throwing, NSAIDs, and gradual return to throwing, as well as what to expect regarding prognosis. They will learn about injury prevention and the appropriate time to refer a patient.

4. Pitching Guidelines

In the final chapter of this course, Dr. Michael Fink reviews and analyzes the effects of pitching guidelines by age. Participants will review Glenohumeral Instability, and watch live demonstrations of evaluation techniques for GIRD and posterior cap stretching. SLAP Lesions, including evaluation and treatment techniques, are discussed.

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