University of Texas at Tyler Case Study on the Kinetic Arm with a Collegiate Baseball Player with Glenohumeral Labrum Tear

Highlighting a Breakthrough: University of Texas at Tyler Case Study on the Kinetic Arm

At The Kinetic Arm, we are proud to be at the forefront of innovation in arm care and injury prevention. A recent case study conducted by the University of Texas at Tyler showcases a groundbreaking use of our dynamic arm stabilizer in helping a collegiate baseball player recover from a glenohumeral labrum tear. This study provides new insights into non-operative recovery solutions for overhead athletes and highlights the potential of dynamic stabilization to transform how athletes approach injury recovery.

Case Study Overview

Use of External Dynamic Arm Stabilizer with a Collegiate Baseball Player with a Glenohumeral Labrum Tear

The study focused on a collegiate baseball player who sustained a glenohumeral labrum tear—a common but debilitating injury for overhead athletes. Instead of pursuing surgical options, the athlete followed a five-week rehabilitation program supplemented by an external dynamic arm stabilizer.

By leveraging the stabilizer’s unique ability to reduce shoulder stress and provide activated support, the athlete was able to safely return to play in time for postseason competition. Remarkably, this is the first published case study to document the use of a dynamic arm stabilizer for this purpose.

Key Findings

The University of Texas at Tyler study reveals several notable benefits:

  • Expedited Recovery Timeline: The athlete returned to competition in just five weeks—well below the standard recovery time for such injuries.
  • Optimized Mechanics: The stabilizer supported proper mechanics, allowing the athlete to maintain high performance while protecting the injured shoulder.
  • Stress Reduction: The device attenuated forces on the shoulder and elbow, helping prevent further injury and ensuring a safe return to activity.

Why This Matters

This case study marks an important milestone in sports medicine. Overhead athletes, particularly baseball players, often face prolonged recovery timelines or invasive procedures for labrum tears. The combination of rehabilitation and the Kinetic Arm stabilizer offers a non-surgical alternative that aligns with the athlete's goal of a quick and safe return to play.

The findings also highlight the stabilizer’s potential to support performance without restricting movement—a critical factor for athletes who rely on natural throwing and swinging mechanics.

Looking Ahead

While this study focused on a single case, it opens the door to broader research into the effectiveness of dynamic arm stabilization. Future studies could explore:

  • Quantifying force attenuation at the shoulder and elbow during athletic activities.
  • Analyzing long-term outcomes for athletes using the stabilizer versus traditional recovery methods.
  • Expanding applications to other overhead sports, such as tennis, volleyball, and softball.

The Kinetic Arm Advantage

This case study underscores what we at The Kinetic Arm have long championed: our multi-patented MuscleWeb® technology is redefining how athletes recover from and prevent injuries. By offering dynamic, non-restrictive support, our stabilizers help athletes perform at their best while minimizing risks of fatigue, pain, and overuse injuries.

As the first and only dynamic arm support proven to reduce arm stress, the Kinetic Arm continues to lead the way in arm care innovation. We are honored to see our technology making a difference in the lives of athletes, and we look forward to building on this success through ongoing research and development.

For more information about the Kinetic Arm and how it can support your recovery or performance goals, explore our website or contact us today.

Together, we’re changing the game in arm health and injury prevention.

 

    Click to access the full published case study.

    Use of Dynamic Arm Stabilizer with Collegiate Baseball Player with Glenohumeral Labrum Tear

    Submission: July 27, 2023 / Published: August 11, 2023 - Volume 9 - Issue 5
    ABSTRACT
    Glenohumeral labrum tears are a relatively common injury experienced by overhead athletes, particularly baseball players. Labrum tears have the potential to lead to time lost from sport, along with loss of financial compensation. There is a need for reports that detail non-operative interventions for glenohumeral labrum tears that allow for a safe and expedient return to activity. In this report, we present the case of a collegiate baseball player with a glenohumeral labrum tear who underwent five weeks of treatment and rehabilitation for his injury. To return to play for post-season competitions, the patient made use of an external dynamic arm stabilizer to provide support and attenuate force when throwing and swinging. This appears to be the first case study detailing the use of an external dynamic arm stabilizer in conjunction with rehabilitation and treatment to align with a patient’s goal of a safe, expedited return to participation.
    DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION
    This case study describes the expedited return to play of a collegiate baseball player suffering from a glenohumeral labrum tear. Through the combination of compliance with the rehabilitation program and use of an external dynamic arm stabilizer, the patient was able to participate in competitions relatively quickly following injury. This case study is noteworthy, as it appears to be the first publication to describe the use of an external dynamic arm stabilizer to facilitate an uncomplicated expedited return to participation in a baseball player suffering from a glenohumeral labrum tear. Further research is needed to validate the use of an external dynamic arm stabilizer for use in overhead athletes. Additionally, future studies should focus on analyzing the amount of force attenuation that occurs at the shoulder and elbow during overhead physical activity when wearing an external dynamic arm stabilizer. While this paper describes a single case study, it describes the successful use of an external dynamic arm stabilizer for allowing a patient to return to activity sooner than expected. The paper also includes a detailed rehabilitation protocol that was used in conjunction with the stabilizer.

    Cage SA*, Jacobsen AP, Skowron P, Wang A, Trail LE and Hodges C. Use of External Dynamic Arm Stabilizer with a Collegiate Baseball Player with a Glenohumeral Labrum Tear. Res Inves Sports Med. 9(5), RISM.000722. 2023. DOI: 10.31031/RISM.2023.09.000722

    Sources

    1. University of Texas at Tyler Case Study: This blog is based on findings from a case study conducted by the University of Texas at Tyler. The study highlights the use of a dynamic arm stabilizer in the expedited recovery of a collegiate baseball player with a glenohumeral labrum tear. Published by Crimson Publishers - Wings to the Research.

    2. Learn More About The Kinetic Arm: Explore the innovative MuscleWeb® technology and the science behind the Kinetic Arm by visiting our How It Works page.

    3. Athlete Success Stories: Read testimonials from athletes who have experienced the benefits of the Kinetic Arm firsthand on our Testimonials page / Google Reviews & Social Media.
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