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CME expires September 1, 2029

A practical, evidence-based guide to diagnosing and managing common shoulder and elbow overuse injuries in athletes and active patients.

Overuse injuries of the shoulder and elbow are common in athletes and active patients, particularly those participating in repetitive overhead, throwing, or upper-extremity activities. These conditions can be challenging to evaluate because symptoms may overlap, contributing factors can involve biomechanics and training demands, and treatment decisions must balance tissue recovery with the patient's goals for returning to activity. Clinicians need guidance that is both current and practical for everyday care.

Overuse Injuries Playbook: Shoulder and Elbow is designed to meet that need. Developed for sports medicine physicians, general orthopaedic surgeons, team physicians, physical therapists, physician assistants, and other clinicians who care for athletes and active individuals, this course provides a focused, high-yield review of common shoulder and elbow overuse conditions encountered in practice. Built as a practical handbook, it is ideal for clinicians who want meaningful, evidence-based guidance they can absorb quickly and apply immediately.

Each chapter follows the full clinical pathway so learners can move efficiently from presentation to plan. Content addresses epidemiology and risk modifiers, pathophysiology and biomechanics, focused history and examination, imaging indications, and management strategies ranging from patient education and activity modification to rehabilitation, progressive loading, selective adjuncts, and procedures when indicated. Chapters also address return-to-play decision-making and objective progression criteria where appropriate, along with population-specific considerations such as pediatric and adolescent athletes and the unique demands of overhead and throwing sports.

Each chapter is paired with a detailed infographic, a downloadable Clinical Job Aid, and a brief case-based quiz to reinforce essential concepts. Together, these tools make the course easy to review, easy to apply, and highly practical for busy clinicians. Whether used as a rapid clinical refresher or a structured review of common conditions, Overuse Injuries Playbook: Shoulder and Elbow is designed to help clinicians make more confident decisions, streamline evaluation, and deliver better-informed care for active patients with shoulder and elbow overuse injuries.

Included Topics

• Internal Shoulder Impingement
• Long Head of the Biceps Tendinopathy
• Medial and Lateral Epicondylitis/Epicondylopathy
• Medial Epicondyle Apophysitis/Little Leaguer's Elbow
• Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
• Subacromial Pain Syndrome
• Valgus Extension Overload/Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury

Editors

Mark Schultzel, MD, FAAOS 
Anup Shah, MD, FAAOS

Learning Objectives

• Recognize the clinical presentation of common shoulder and elbow overuse injuries in athletes and active individuals.
• Distinguish among overlapping diagnoses via a focused patient history, physical examination, and imaging if indicated.
• Apply practical, evidence-based treatment strategies, including activity modifications, load governance, rehabilitation principles, and select surgical procedures.
• Identify if symptoms, physical examination findings, or imaging study findings suggest a high-risk condition requiring closer protection, additional workup, or referral.
• Use return-to-play criteria more confidently, and communicate clear progression benchmarks to patients, families, coaches, and care teams.
• Account for population-specific variables that may influence diagnosis, treatment tolerance, and recovery timelines.

Earn up to 7 AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits™.