Correlation Between Loss of Internal Rotation Range of Motion and Size of the Subacromial Space and the Influence of a Home Stretching Program.

A loss of mobility in the shoulder in direction of internal rotation is associated with shoulder tendon pathology. Cause-effect relationship between these two is still not clear. It is suspected that this loss of mobility reduces the size of the tunnel in which this shoulder tendon is lying, namely the subacromial space. Overhead athletes frequently show glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) while being healthy and free of shoulder pain. This makes this population interesting to investigate. This study wants to look at shoulders of overhead athletes with GIRD and measure the size of the subacromial space. After this, the athletes will be instructed to perform a home stretching program and at the end the effect of this on mobility and the size of the subacromial space will be measured.60 athletes will be recruited and randomly allocated to the control group and the stretching group. Before they start stretching, subacromial space size will be measured by use of ultrasound. This is a safe and non-invasive measuring tool. Mobility will be measured by use of a digital inclinometer. This also is safe and non-invasive. Patients will be instructed a stretching exercise, which they will be performing at home once a day during 6 weeks. At the end all outcome measures will be reassessed.