Common Shoulder Injuries for Mountain Bikers
Summer in the Vail Valley is right around the corner. This means our mountains and trails will be explored by mountain bike enthusiasts looking to tackle our tough climbs and conquer our peaks. With all the beauty Eagle County has to offer, it’s no surprise that mountain biking is popular with our active outdoor community.
Unfortunately, that means Dr. Sterett and his team have seen a corresponding rise in mountain bike injuries in the clinic. Here are some of the most common shoulder injuries Team Sterett treats in mountain bikers (and how we help get them back on the bike).
Common Mountain Biking Shoulder Injuries
Mountain bike trails have significant hazards and variable surface conditions. High speeds and slow reactions during those steep, downhill sections can cause a crash where the biker falls onto their shoulder.
The three most common shoulder injuries are:
1. Shoulder Dislocations:
Your shoulder joint is composed of a ball and socket, which is vulnerable to an impact injury. A shoulder dislocation can be partial or complete depending on how far the ball pops out of the socket. A shoulder dislocation is a simple injury to repair; however, it can increase your likelihood of having a second dislocation by up to 82%.
For certain athletes, including mountain bikers, an untimely second dislocation can be life-threatening if it occurs during sport. These athletes are considered “consequence” athletes, and shoulder stabilization surgery is often recommended.
2. Shoulder Separations:
The AC joint connects your shoulder blade to your collarbone. A high-speed impact can cause the ligaments that stabilize the AC joint to separate. This is what’s known as a shoulder separation and is another common injury in mountain bikers.
The severity of your separation depends on whether the AC ligaments are sprained or torn. AC ligament sprains can usually be treated conservatively (with rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, and bracing), but completely torn shoulder ligaments will require surgical intervention.
3. Clavicle Fractures:
A broken collarbone (also known as a clavicle fracture) easily makes up the majority of shoulder injuries in mountain bikers. This injury typically occurs when the rider falls or flips over their handlebars, driving their shoulder into the ground or falling onto an outstretched hand.
Most clavicle fractures heal without issue. In fact, a clean break can be healed nonsurgically with immobilization. However, if the bones are misaligned or the fracture is complex, Dr. Sterett and his team will recommend surgery to reposition the bones and hold the fragments in place.
Schedule an Appointment With Vail Valley’s Sports Medicine Physician
If you are suffering from shoulder pain in relation to your mountain biking, contact Team Sterett today! Dr. Sterett will work with you to create a customized treatment plan that gets you back in the saddle and out on the trail.
Schedule a consultation by calling (970) 476-7220 or through our online appointment request form.