Dislocated Shoulder in Backstroke Swimming: Causes and Treatment
This paper examines how the mechanics of backstroke swimming contribute to shoulder dislocation, one of the most mobile and injury-prone joints in the human body. It describes the anatomy of the glenohumeral joint, explains how the power phase and recovery phase of the backstroke — particularly the hyperextended, cocked-arm position — can cause anteroinferior dislocation. The paper also outlines diagnostic approaches, non-surgical reduction techniques (including scapular manipulation, external rotation, and traction-counter traction), and post-reduction rehabilitation protocols involving immobilization and physical therapy.
- The Shoulder Joint and Its Vulnerability: Anatomy and injury risk of the shoulder
- How Backstroke Swimming Causes Dislocation: Backstroke mechanics that trigger shoulder dislocation
- Immediate Diagnosis and Reduction Techniques: X-ray diagnosis and three reduction methods
- Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Return to Sport: Immobilization, physical therapy, and surgical considerations
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper grounds its clinical discussion in a specific athletic context — backstroke swimming — making abstract anatomical concepts concrete and accessible.
- It follows a logical progression from anatomy and injury mechanism through diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, giving the paper a clear, cohesive structure.
- Direct quotations from peer-reviewed and clinical sources are integrated smoothly and attributed carefully, lending credibility to each stage of the argument.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates effective use of source synthesis: rather than summarizing each reference separately, the writer weaves multiple clinical and journal sources together within each paragraph to build a unified explanation. This technique — combining a sports-medicine journal article, a clinical reference site, and a general medical resource — is a strong model for undergraduate health or kinesiology writing.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens by establishing the anatomy and vulnerability of the shoulder joint, then narrows to the specific mechanics of backstroke swimming that precipitate dislocation. The third section covers immediate clinical management, surveying three non-surgical reduction methods and the conditions under which surgery is warranted. The final section addresses post-reduction care, immobilization timelines, and sport-specific rehabilitation considerations. The reference list follows APA-style formatting.
The Shoulder Joint and Its Vulnerability
The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the body, enabling flexible movements such as the backward propulsion required in backstroke swimming. However, this exceptional range of motion also makes the joint highly prone to injury. "Dislocations of the shoulder occur when the head of the [upper arm bone] humerus is forcibly removed from its socket in the glenoid fossa" (Wedro, 2012). Dislocated shoulders are usually associated with traumatic contact sports such as rugby. The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, and when its connective tissue is subjected to stress, it can tear and allow the humerus to pop out of its socket. The most common type of shoulder dislocation is an anterior dislocation, characterized by "forced extension, abduction, and external rotation" (Dlimi et al., 2012).
How Backstroke Swimming Causes Dislocation
Repetitive stress injuries — such as those sustained through regular backstroke training — can contribute to the conditions for a dislocated shoulder. However, the experience of the dislocation itself is usually sudden. When a backstroke swimmer dislocates his or her shoulder, the onset may be described as follows: "He suddenly felt that his shoulders were going out of place and was unable to continue the race" (Dlimi et al., 2012). The race start is a particularly high-risk moment. "For the takeoff, the swimmer pushed his hands away from the block, swung his arms around sideways to the front, and threw his head to the back" (Dlimi et al., 2012).
The backstroke stroke itself "consists of two main parts: the power phase and the recovery." Dislocation typically occurs when the swimmer's arm is in the cocked position associated with hyperextension of the shoulders. "The force can be strong enough to rupture the anterior capsule and glenohumeral ligament complex, resulting in anteroinferior dislocation" (Dlimi et al., 2012).
References
Dislocated shoulder. (2012). Physio Advisor. Retrieved from
Dlimi, F., et al. (2012). Bilateral anterior dislocation of the shoulders at the start of a backstroke competition. Journal of Orthopedic Traumatology, 13(1), 47–49. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3284668/
Wedro, B. (2012). Dislocated shoulder. Medicine Net. Retrieved from
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