Swimming Overuse Injuries

Original Editor - Lucinda hampton Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Kim Jackson, Wanda van Niekerk and Jacob Bischoff

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Swimming is a great sport enjoyed by all age groups at all levels of ability. It is a unique sport,in that it combines upper and lower extremity strength exercises with cardiovascular training in a non-weight bearing environment. Swimmers are unfortunately prone to injuries.  Most swimming injuries are classed as overuse injuries and relate to faulty biomechanics. The most common swimming injury regions are the shoulder, neck, lower back and knee.

Wanivenhaus et al (2012)[1] highlighted in a study into epidemiology of swimming injuries that "An understanding of swimming biomechanics and typical injuries in swimming aids in the early recognition of injury, the initiation of treatment, and the design of optimal prevention and rehabilitation strategies."[1]

Swimmer.jpg

Swimming overuse injuries usually arise from one or a combination of the below:

  • Poor stroke mechanics
  • Poor breathing technique
  • Poor flexibility or range of motion of neck or lower back
  • Hyper flexibility of joints with insufficient muscular stabilisation
  • Decreased rotator cuff or scapular muscle strength
  • Insufficient core strength/stability
  • Decreased hip muscle strength
  • Overtraining
  • Insufficient rest periods
Scheuermann's Kyphosis Stretch 2.JPG

Stretching is important for swimming because of the great range of muscles used when you’re in the water.  Unprepared muscles don’t perform as well as muscles which have been warmed up ahead of exercising. A good stretching regime including at a minimum :

Note - The above list gives a guide to what to look for in each of the specific conditions listed below. This page does not give full physiotherapy procedures, instead providing great links to the sites that will have relevant information.

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Swimmers Shoulder[edit | edit source]

Shoulder diagram.jpg

Shoulder pain is the most frequent orthopaedic injury in swimmers, with a reported prevalence between 40% and 91% in elite swimmers.[1] Swimmer's shoulder is a condition with a gradual onset due to repetitive activity and can be classified as microtrauma. Swimmer's shoulder usually presents as subacromial impingement involving the rotator cuff tendon, bicipital tendon, or subacromial bursa.[3]

Primary subacromial impingement involves compression of these structures between the acromion and greater tuberosity (due to usually a tight posterior capsule causing the humeral head to migrate anteriorly) or abnormal acromial morphology. However, primary impingement syndrome is less common in competitive swimmers than secondary impingement.[3]

Secondary impingement occurs through a series of impairments, usually in a swimmer with increased anterior glenohumeral laxity ( shoulder ROM in swimmers often exhibit excessive external rotation and limited internal rotation). This shift in ROM towards increased external rotation is an adjustment to the demands on the glenohumeral joint allowing anterior laxity and greater demand on the rotator cuff and the long head of the biceps to reduce humeral head elevation and anterior translation.[3]

Chronic swimmer's shoulder can result in pathology of the rotator cuff, glenoid labrum, and long head of the biceps.

Subjective examination[edit | edit source]

Should provide information about the area, symptom description, and behaviour of the symptoms in patients with swimmer's shoulder. Questions to ask include [3]

  • site of pain ( easy to localise or broad region) and or neurological sensations
  • irritability of condition (pain level, time to provoke, latency of pain)
  • current training program, recent changes, changes in stroke technique
  • has swimmer had stroke assessment /correction sessions

Objective examination[edit | edit source]

Include[3]

Physiotherapy[edit | edit source]

Swimmers shoulder is a condition that may be prevented with adequate screening that can identify impairments and training errors that may lead to symptoms. If a swimmer presents with symptoms identify the most likely impairments or training errors and rule out any significant tissue pathology. A comprehensive rehabilitation program should be instituted that includes strengthening of the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers, stretching anterior chest musculature that may be shortened, and modifying if necessary the training regime[3]. If improper swimming technique was implicated ensure stroke correction training takes place.

For specific physiotherapy recommendations regarding treatment see relevant section in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, Subacromial Pain Syndrome, Anterior Shoulder Instability, Evidence Based Interventions for Shoulder Pain, Manual Techniques For the Shoulder, Kinesiology Taping.

Swimmers Back[edit | edit source]

The spine is also a recognized site predisposed to injury in the elite swimmer, mainly associated with butterfly swimmers ( 33.3%-58%) and breaststroke swimmers (22.2%- 47%), figures varying from differing studies.

As swimming athletes are positioned horizontally in the water, gravity and buoyancy forces are traveling through the body with the potential to cause changes at the lumbar spine. Due to the undulating motion (lumbar extension) utilised in butterfly and breaststroke, there is potential for developing pain secondary to stress on the joints[4].

Causes include

Butterfly stroke.jpeg
  • Hyperextension of the lumbar spine during freestyle and butterfly
  • poor kick technique
  • stress fractures are a potential cause in young swimmers
  • disc degeneration and facet joint degeneration in the older swimmer. A 2007 study hypothisising that "Excessive competitive swimming activities accelerate lumbar disk degeneration" this activity may exaggerate lumbar intervertebral disk degeneration, especially in the L5-S1 intervertebral segment.[5]
  • improper timing of this butterfly stroke increases strain on low back the possibility of neck, shoulder, or back pain.
  • poor flexibility of the spine and low back
  • insufficient core strength to maintain straight alignment of body in water
  • aggressive weight training using poor techniques
  • overuse of devices eg paddles on hands, fins, kick boards- exposing the open kinetic chain of swimming to different loads and exaggerating lumbar lordosis
  • tightness in the hip flexors or inadequate body roll during swimming may lead to compensation at the lumbar spine.

Physiotherapy[edit | edit source]

A thorough assessment of mobility of the spine, hips, pelvis, and arms is essential.

Treatment includes

  • Correction of muscle imbalances (such as tight hip flexors, weak glutes and core)
  • optimization of pelvic and joint mobility both in static (without movement) and dynamic (with movement)
  • Practicing correct stroke technique with the guidance of a coach to improve performance and protect from musculoskeletal injuries including those of the low back (especially important in the breaststroke and butterfly, the swimming styles with the greatest incidence of LBP).
  • spinal stabilization exercises,
  • advocate avoiding sudden increases in training volume and overuse of devices
  • lumbar spine
  • core stabilisation
  • low back pain from hyperlordosis
  • low back pain guidelines
  • low back pain

Note - If a swimmer develops new low back pain that persists and the swimmer is without a history of low back pain further investigation may be needed. If a spondylolysis occurs, the swimmer may need a longer duration of modified activity (3-6 months) and core stabilisation training.

Swimmers Knee[edit | edit source]

Knee pain figures range from 34% to 86% for a single knee episode, being highest in breaststrokers,[1]

Knee-patella.jpg

Knee pain is caused mainly during breaststroke swimming. Repetitive stress is placed on the medial knee produces pain during the whip-like motion. The breaststroke kick is a high valgus load produced during sudden flexion-extension, adduction and external rotation of the knee against the hydrodynamic environment, resulting in stress to the medial compartment. Hence a strain occurs to the medial collateral ligament and compression on the lateral knee (possibly causing: sprain on the MCL; irritation of the medial plica; bursal irritation at the muscular insertions of the adductor and hamstring muscles). Strain injuries may also present in the adductor muscles (adductor magnus and brevis, especially)[6] Other knee injuries include  patellofemoral pain, and medial synovitis. Treatment will focus on elimination of inflammation. Rehabilitation should focus on stabilisation exercises for hypermobile joints, postural correction, strengthening and flexibility.[7]

A 2008 study found the 200 - 400 m breaststroke events increase the risk for knee overuse injuries more than other strokes or distances. Additionally training for more than four times a week increases the risk twofold for knee and fourfold for shoulder overuse injuries. [8]

A 2004 study looking at competitive swimmers interestingly reports that breaststroke swimmers are at significant risk of :groin injury; groin injury is positively correlated with increased magnitude of breaststroke training; and groin injury may prevent participation in practices and competitions.[9] So take the time to assess then groin and complete length of hip adductors, not just distally.

Physiotherapy[edit | edit source]

Be sure to address in assessment all the points bulleted in introduction.

For specific assessment and treatment of the injuries arising at the knee see

Swimmers Neck[edit | edit source]

Muscles connecting the upper limb to the trunk deep muscles Primal.png

Neck pain is mainly seen in the older athlete It may be due to facet joint arthritic change, and disc degeneration +/- nerve root irritation.  Muscle innervation and sensation to the shoulder region is predominantly derived from the C5/C6 nerve roots.  If these nerve root are irritated due to degenerative change in the neck, shoulder complaints can arise.  Arthritic change may limit neck rotation making correct breathing patterns difficult.  Swimmers who unilaterally breath are more prone to neck pain.  Looking forward rather than directly downward, and extending the head too high when taking a breath increases the load on the neck and create pain.

Physiotherapy (see links)[edit | edit source]

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Swim finish.jpg

Swimming can be a great sport for recreational swimmers up to elite swimmers. As a physiotherapist help swimmers overcome their injuries and liaise with trainers, coaches and physicians for the best results.

Additional Viewing[edit | edit source]

To correct an elite swimmers stoke you should be trained in swimming coaching. However, for helping recreational swimmers, take at look at the video below to get some pointers re freestyle, the most commonly used (and misused stroke).

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References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Wanivenhaus F, Fox AJ, Chaudhury S, Rodeo SA. Epidemiology of injuries and prevention strategies in competitive swimmers. Sports health. 2012 May;4(3):246-51. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3435931/ (last accessed 11.9.2019)
  2. Hospital for special surgery What are common swimming injuries? Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeEbg5rlOX0&app=desktop (last accessed 12.9.2019)
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Tovin BJ. Prevention and treatment of swimmer's shoulder. North American journal of sports physical therapy: NAJSPT. 2006 Nov;1(4):166. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2953356/ (last accessed 13.9.2019)
  4. Wanivenhaus F, Fox AJ, Chaudhury S, Rodeo SA. Epidemiology of injuries and prevention strategies in competitive swimmers. Sports health. 2012 May;4(3):246-51. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23016094 (last accessed 13.9.2019)
  5. Kaneoka K, Shimizu K, Hangai M, Okuwaki T, Mamizuka N, Sakane M, Ochiai N. Lumbar intervertebral disk degeneration in elite competitive swimmers: a case control study. The American journal of sports medicine. 2007 Aug;35(8):1341-5. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17405885 (last accessed 14.9.2019)
  6. Rodeo SA. Knee pain in competitive swimming. Clinics in sports medicine. 1999 Apr 1;18(2):379-87. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10230572 (last accessed 13.9.2019)
  7. Kenal KA, Knappe LD. Rehabilitation of injuries in competitive swimmers. Sports medicine. 1996 Nov 1;22(5):337-47. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00007256-199622050-00007 (last accessed 14.9.2019)
  8. Knobloch K, Yoon U, Kraemer R, Vogt PM. 200-400 m breaststroke event dominate among knee overuse injuries in elite swimming athletes. Sportverletzung Sportschaden: Organ der Gesellschaft fur Orthopadisch-Traumatologische Sportmedizin. 2008 Dec;22(4):213-9. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19085772 (last accessed 14.9.2019)
  9. Grote K, Lincoln TL, Gamble JG. Hip adductor injury in competitive swimmers. The American journal of sports medicine. 2004 Jan;32(1):104-8. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14754731 (last accessed 14.9.2019)
  10. Viva Physiotherapy Swimming technique and common swimming injuries Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3HGZZW92Zo (last accessed 14.9.2019)