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Elbow injuries in young baseball players.
J A Whiteside1, J R Andrews, G S Fleisig
1Troy State University, Troy, AL, USA.
The Physician and Sportsmedicine
|January 21, 2010
Summary
Repetitive throwing in young athletes often causes immature elbow injuries. Early diagnosis and nonoperative treatments like physical therapy and modified throwing programs are key for recovery and preventing further damage.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Pediatric Sports Injuries
Background:
- Adolescent athletes place significant stress on their elbows during throwing motions.
- This repetitive stress can lead to various injuries in the vulnerable, immature elbow.
- Common symptoms include medial elbow pain, stiffness, and decreased performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the common injuries associated with throwing in young athletes.
- To describe diagnostic methods for identifying elbow injuries in this population.
- To detail nonoperative treatment and prevention strategies for immature elbow injuries.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical history, focusing on symptoms like persistent medial elbow soreness and stiffness.
- Physical examination including palpation to identify injury sites.
- Radiographic assessment (X-rays) to detect growth-plate separation or osteochondral changes.
Main Results:
- Diagnosis relies on identifying specific injury sites and radiographic evidence of growth-plate issues or osteochondral damage.
- Nonoperative treatment is feasible for medial apophyseal separation less than 3 mm.
- Treatment includes physical therapy (stretching, strengthening), sport-specific training, and interval throwing.
Conclusions:
- Early recognition of symptoms and prompt diagnosis are crucial for managing throwing-related elbow injuries in young athletes.
- Nonoperative management, including a structured rehabilitation and return-to-throwing protocol, is effective for many cases.
- Prevention strategies focusing on conditioning, pitch counts, and age-appropriate skill development are essential.
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