Injury Insights: Dr. Ramos and Zach Bye Talk About Brenton Doyle's Oblique Injury
Swinging for the fences, not pulling a muscle
In this edition of Injury Insights, Dr. Joseph Ramos takes a look at Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle’s return to the lineup after missing time with an oblique injury. Dr. Ramos explains what the oblique muscles are, where they are located and why they play such a critical role in baseball, generating roughly 50% to 60% of the force involved in trunk rotation.
Oblique injuries can be particularly frustrating for baseball players because sudden, forceful twisting can tear muscle fibers and lead to lengthy recoveries and recurring problems. Dr. Ramos explains the important difference between an oblique contusion and a muscle tear, why a contusion would be the more favorable scenario for Doyle and what to watch for if the injury returns during the season.
Key Insights
- Oblique Offense: Oblique muscles provide roughly 50% to 60% of the force behind trunk rotation.
- Twist and Shout: Sudden, forceful twisting can tear oblique muscle fibers and cause significant pain.
- Contusion vs. Tear: A contusion involves bleeding within the muscle, while a tear damages the muscle fibers themselves.
- Baseball’s Bummer: Oblique tears can take a couple of months to heal and may recur.
- Hope for Doyle: If Doyle’s injury was only a contusion, his chances of avoiding recurrence may be better.
- Keep an Eye Out: A returning injury could suggest that the original problem was a muscle tear rather than a simple bruise.
- Swinging Science: Healthy obliques are essential for the twisting and bending required to swing a bat and throw a baseball.
