Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and the Handstand-Position Radiography for Proximal Humeral Epiphysiolysis in Elite Gymnasts: A Report of Two Cases

TL;DR

Two elite gymnasts with shoulder injuries were successfully treated with non-surgical methods, including shock wave therapy and special radiography.

Contribution

Demonstrates the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy and handstand-position radiography in treating proximal humeral epiphysiolysis in gymnasts.

Findings

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy led to rapid bone repair and pain relief in one gymnast.

Handstand-position radiography identified humeral shortening and compensatory movements, avoiding surgery in another case.

Abstract

We report two cases of proximal humeral epiphysiolysis in elite gymnasts. Both patients presented with shoulder pain during weight-bearing movements. The patient in case 1, treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), exhibited rapid bone repair and pain relief, allowing an early return to competition. In the case 2 patient, humeral shortening was identified. Handstand-position radiography revealed compensatory scapular movements, negating the need for surgical intervention. These findings highlight ESWT's potential in promoting bone repair and the utility of handstand-position radiography in assessing humeral length. Both methods provide innovative treatment approaches for proximal humeral epiphysiolysis in gymnasts.

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