Abstract

The chronic stress of athletic endeavors can lead to temporary or permanent changes in the range of motion of different joints. An unusual case of permanent adaptation of the shoulder joint in a tennis professional is described. Chronic intrinsic overload led to dynamic contracture and eventual fibrosis of the external rotator group. This was responsible for decreasing the internal rotation of the abducted shoulder. Extrinsic overload effected the elasticfunction of the musculo-tendinous unit of the internal rotator group. Combinedwith stretching or tearing of the anterior joint capsule, this allowed an increase in external rotation of the abducted shoulder. This unusual combination of altered ranges of motion may be viewed as a physiologic response to the stress of the tennis serve. Both of these changes appear to be adaptive, permanent, and without disability. Verf.-Referat