My 18-year old son tore his rotator cuff in a wrestling match. How can this happen with athletes who are in such good shape? I thought their bulked up muscles would be protected.

Rotator cuff tears are much more common in older adults because of age-related changes. However, overuse or trauma in sports can put anyone at risk for injury.

Although rotator cuff tears are uncommon in teenagers more and more cases are being reported. In fact many new injuries are occurring in children and adolescents because of increased participation in sports. Athletics has become more competitive with year-round training and play. These factors add to the reasons why even athletes in good shape can get injured.