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Throwing Injuries
Geisinger Sports Medicine - Get Back in the Game
Mechanism of Injury
Athletes who are required to pitch or throw several hundred times during a practice or a game put a large amount of stress on their shoulders and elbows. Poor throwing technique is the primary cause of all throwing injuries, and simple overuse contributes to these types of injuries as well. Arm, shoulder, and elbow problems resulting from throwing are especially recognized in career pitchers who’ve been throwing for most of their lifetime.
The physicians at Geisinger Medical Center treat baseball and softball players, track and field competitors, and football players who encounter throwing injuries like ulnar collateral ligament tears in the elbow and rotator cuff tears. A common condition known as “Little Leaguer’s Elbow” is diagnosed in young ballplayers suffering from ligament tears and inflammation of the growth plate which can lead to bone damage and deformity if left untreated. Another throwing injury called osteochondrosis is characterized by loosening of the bone and cartilage around the elbow.
Throwing athletes are also at risk for tendonitis, impingement syndrome, broken arm, broken hand or broken wrist, and labrum tears. Athletes participating in repetitive throwing motions may also experience overlapping conditions. It is recommended that a sports medicine physician be consulted regularly for examination and advice on avoidance of throwing injuries.
Athletes with a throwing injury may experience:
- Elbow sprain symptoms
- Progressive pain
- Pain on the inner area of the elbow
- Pain while throwing
- Inability to control pitches
- Locking of the elbow joint
- Shoulder pain
- Aching or discomfort
- Sharp pains
Diagnosis & Testing
To properly diagnose a throwing injury, a sports medicine physician may utilize an MRI test, ultrasound evaluation, or CT scanning. X-rays are used to help rule out other conditions. A physical examination and a review of your medical history can help determine why and how the injury occurred. Your doctor may perform range of motion and stability tests to evaluate characteristics of the injury.
Treatment
For mild throwing injuries, all that may be required is rest, ice packs, and a reevaluation of throwing technique and posture. It is extremely important to find the root cause of the injury, both to support the healing process and to prevent the injury from recurring. If you are overtraining your arm, you may need to spread out your practice times, or incorporate more frequent or longer rest periods. If your injury occurred due to faulty technique, you will need to work with your coach to develop a safer and better mechanical style for throwing or pitching.
Surgical Management
Surgery is not usually necessary for child athletes with a throwing injury. Surgery may be required for more serious injuries, however. Players with recurring arm and shoulder problems may opt for surgery, especially if they plan on throwing for many years or desire to play semi-pro or pro sports. For a torn collateral ligament, a ligament reconstruction procedure may be recommended.
Rehabilitation
A physical therapist can work with throwing injury patients to strengthen and improve the arm, elbow, and/or shoulder. Weight bearing and throwing interval strategies may be used, and a thorough analysis of the forces used during throwing can help a player to learn important prevention techniques as well. Working on strengthening other muscle groups, such as the trunk and legs, may also help take the stress of the throwing arm muscles when pitching and throwing is mechanically improved.
At Geisinger Sports Medicine, we help athletes with throwing injuries recover with the best techniques modern medicine has to offer. If you or your child sustains a throwing injury, contact us today for an appointment at our state-of-the-art facility.
Geisinger Sports Medicine Facility
1-866-414-4988
Orthopaedic Services-Woodbine Lane
Corner of Woodbine Lane & Route 11
Danville, PA 17822 MC 52-12
Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center
1-800-921-1467
1000 East Mountain Blvd.
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Geisinger Medical Center
1-800-275-6401
100 N. Academy Avenue
Danville, PA 17822