Superior labral anterior and posterior lesions and internal impingement in the overhead athlete.

Superior labral lesions and internal impingement are believed to be the primary cause of shoulder pathology in the overhead athlete, particularly the baseball player. Increased shoulder external rotation can lead to repetitive impingement of the rotator cuff and superior labrum resulting in a superior labrum anterior and posterior lesion and partial articular-sided rotator cuff tearing. Although the etiology for this phenomenon remains controversial, the end result remains the same: pathology in the rotator cuff and superior labrum. Isolated treatment of the pathology alone, without addressing the capsular laxity, results in lower return to play rates. Addressing the capsular laxity arthroscopically at the same time as the intra-articular pathology is necessary to give these athletes the best chance to return to their prior competitive level. Although short-term results are promising, long-term follow-up is necessary to determine the ultimate usefulness of this treatment philosophy.