Evaluation of glenohumeral range of motion and humeral retroversion at ages after major change and differences in wrestlers

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to present the change in humeral retroversion (HR) angle (HRA) that occurs in childhood and young adulthood and the potential developmental difference that is observed in wrestlers. Methods: HRA of dominant and non-dominant shoulders (DSHRA and NDSHRA, respectively) were measured using ultrasonography in a group of 30 wrestlers who started wrestling before the age of 13 years (Group 1), a group of 30 young adults, aged between 16–20 years, who were not actively engaged in any branch of overhead sports (Group 2) and a group of children aged between 11–13 years and not actively engaged in any branch of overhead sports (Group 3). Range of motion (ROM) degrees of dominant and non-dominant shoulders in all groups were compared within each group and between the groups. Results: DSHRA (mean: 88.73°, 88.93° and 89.40°) values were significantly higher than NDSHRA (mean: 81.13°, 81.83° and 84.37°) values (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0,05) in Groups I, II and III, respectively. Internal rotation and total ROM degrees of the dominant shoulder in Group 1 and 3 were higher than those in Group 2. Conclusion: There is no significant change in terms of HRA in people aged between 11–13 and 16–20 years because of natural development or wrestling. DSHRA values are higher than NDSHRA ones. In contrast to the shoulders of throwers, the shoulders of wrestlers are characterized by an increase in internal rotation, described as “Wrestler’s shoulder.” Level of Evidence: Level III.