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How Strength and Conditioning Program Helped Wethersfield Shortstop’s Shoulder Injury

February 18, 2022

Wethersfield High School shortstop Savier Paige started noticing chronic shoulder pain and discomfort at the start of the 2020 baseball season. He was concerned because he didn’t know what was causing the pain, how serious the injury may be and how it would affect his future as an athlete.

Andre Paige, Savier’s father said, his son’s pain “would fluctuate and he would notice at times that he was hesitant on throwing or would struggle. He would compensate any pain and discomfort and work through it, but didn’t understand that there was more going on that was preventing him to play to his fullest ability.”

After trying different remedies to alleviate the pain and strengthen the area, such as IcyHot, ibuprofen and sports tape, along with stretching, they realized it was time to see a health expert.

After meeting with Dr. Cliff Rios at Hartford HealthCare’s Bone & Joint Institute, Savier was evaluated by a physical therapist. At the time, he was in significant pain, with decreased range of motion and strength. He spent the next three months, twice a week, working closely with physical therapists to recover his range of motion and build back his strength.

After his therapy, Savier transitioned to Hartford HealthCare’s Strength and Conditioning program, working with Exercise Physiologist and Strength and Conditioning Coach Bruce Brazeal, shown above (at right) with Paige. This program helps injured athletes prepare to return to their sports, optimize their recovery and return better than they were before their injury.

The therapy and program helped play pain-free and get recruited by a college — Savier is looking forward to starting his collegiate athletic career this fall at Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I. Savier said he is most excited about starting a new chapter, going to school and doing what he loves – playing baseball.

“I like that I don’t have to worry about being in pain after one game and having that pain continue,” he said. “I now know how to maintain the strength to avoid getting injured again.”

Says his father: “I was pleased and confident with the staff. We felt really comfortable and they were hands on and open to questions and explained the purpose of the drills. Savier feels stronger and the treatment has increased his throwing velocity, bat speed and his overall strength as an athlete.”