ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe the evaluation, management, and rehabilitation of an acute, supraspinatus tendon injury in an intercollegiate football player. BACKGROUND: While attempting to block a defender, a 19-year-old collegiate football player slipped on the artificial turf and landed on his right elbow, causing an injury to his right shoulder. The athlete was initially seen by the head athletic trainer and then referred to the team physician for further evaluation. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: acromioclavicular joint sprain, brachial plexopathy, subacromial impingement syndrome, supraspinatus lesion. TREATMENT: The athlete was managed surgically with an open acromioplasty and a 3-bone tunnel repair of the supraspinatus tendon. After surgery, the athlete underwent a 4-month rehabilitation protocol in preparation for return to competition. UNIQUENESS: This case involved a teenage athlete rather than the older individuals who normally sustain rotator cuff lesions. Also, the mechanism was a compressive force on the supraspinatus tendon rather than the tensile force common to rotator cuff lesions. CONCLUSIONS: By presenting this case report, we hope to give sports medicine clinicians a better understanding of rotator cuff injuries and how to successfully manage and rehabilitate supraspinatus lesions.