Elbow Pain In Baseball Players
As with any sport, playing baseball brings fun but also the potential for harm. Because pitching the ball puts extra stress on the throwing arm, baseball players are more prone to elbow pain. At New York Sports Medicine Institute, we are dedicated to offering the finest standard of orthopedic and sports medicine services. Our trusted doctors specialize in treating our patients’ needs. If you are interested in an elbow surgeon in Paramus, please give us a call today!
Pitchers elbow
Pitcher’s elbow, also referred to as medial epicondyle apophysitis in baseball, is a frequent problem among young players. Pitcher’s elbow, which is caused by “overuse” and “repetitive movements,” produces pain and swelling inside the elbow, limits the range of motion, and limits or prevents the ability to throw a ball.
Causes of pitchers elbow
For baseball players (especially pitchers), the aggressive and redundant nature of overhand throwing can cause irritation of the growth plate within the throwing elbow, likely to result in pitcher’s elbow. Because one’s elbow configuration (including bone fragments, growth plates, and tendons) isn’t really fully mature or developed, childhood and adolescence baseball players are more likely to sustain this injury.
Pitcher’s elbow is caused by the following risk factors:
- Age. Because their elbow joints have not fully grown, young baseball players (especially those between the ages of 9 and 14) are at greater danger. Youth pitchers often have less mature bones, weak tendons, accessible growth plates, and underdeveloped musculature, all of which expose them to sports injuries.
- Pitching an excessive number of games. The number of games pitched should be properly tracked, and the pitch count restrictions of the league should be obeyed. Overuse in baseball has been linked to injuries like the pitcher’s elbow, according to research. There’s evidence that it can happen during a game, a season, or a year. Additionally, pitching should not be done for more than eight months of each year. If the player feels pain before reaching the pitch count limit, he or she should stop immediately. Additionally, if weariness is felt during the game, pitching should be stopped.
- Mechanics that aren’t satisfactory. Throwing mechanics that aren’t correct can place extra strain on the elbow joint. Throwing mechanisms can help young players avoid injury and establish good techniques that will help them enhance their skills. To make sure you’ve acquired good mechanics, consult your coach or other experienced trainers.
How to prevent pitcher’s elbow from an elbow surgeon in Paramus
- Stretching and gentle, progressive throwing should always be part of your warm-up routine.
- Aside from pitcher, rotate through other positions.
- It’s not a good idea to pitch on consecutive days.
- Pitch Smart guidelines or those established by your school or club team should be followed.
- Even if the pain is minor, never pitch through it.
How to treat pitchers elbow with an elbow surgeon in Paramus
If a child develops signs of pitchers elbow, he or she should cease pitching right away since the condition can worsen with constant stress and lead to serious consequences; as well as seek treatment from an elbow surgeon in Paramus. Resting and putting ice on the uncomfortable or inflamed part of the elbow for several days are nonsurgical therapies, as are over-the-counter pain relievers and physical therapy. Adjusting or refining throwing skills once the issue has cleared up may help prevent future damage. Before purchasing anti-inflammatories, consult your pharmacist because these medications may be prohibited due to interactions with other medications or medical conditions.