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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
06:09
Measuring 3D In-vivo Shoulder Kinematics using Biplanar Videoradiography
Published on: March 12, 2021
Understanding shoulder and elbow injuries in baseball
Orr Limpisvasti1, Neal S ElAttrache, Frank W Jobe
1Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA
Summary
Repetitive overhead throwing causes stress on young athletes' shoulder and elbow joints, potentially leading to injury. Prevention focuses on optimizing mechanics, core strength, and range of motion to avoid overuse and damage.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Pediatric Sports Injury
Background:
- Overhead throwing activities place significant mechanical stress on the shoulder and elbow.
- Young athletes are susceptible to developmental anatomic changes and asymptomatic joint pathology due to repetitive stress.
- Overuse and poor biomechanics can lead to disabling injuries in pitchers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the risks of repetitive overhead throwing in young athletes.
- To emphasize the prevalence of asymptomatic pathology and its progression to injury.
- To underscore the importance of identifying and preventing overuse in youth baseball pitchers.
Main Methods:
- Review of biomechanical principles in overhead throwing.
- Analysis of the relationship between pitching mechanics and joint stress.
- Discussion of factors contributing to overuse injuries in young throwers.
Main Results:
- Asymptomatic shoulder and elbow joint pathology is common in young throwers.
- Inadequate coordination of motion segments during pitching delivery contributes to structural damage.
- Overuse is a primary factor in the development of disabling injuries.
Conclusions:
- Identifying and preventing overuse is critical for injury avoidance in young pitchers.
- Injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies should focus on biomechanics, core strength, scapular stability, and joint mobility.
- Optimizing pitching mechanics and physical conditioning is essential for long-term joint health.
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