Baseball is one of the most popular youth sports in the United States, with ~15 million kids playing annually. And for good reason… On top of being America’s pastime, it teaches children hand-eye coordination and sets them on a path for a healthy lifestyle. It also helps them learn valuable skills like teamwork, commitment, and dedication.
But it’s not all smiles, especially not when your child is injured. One common injury that young baseball players can experience is Little League Elbow, more commonly known as Pitcher’s or Thrower’s Elbow in the majors.
This condition occurs due to repetitive stress on the elbow joint, often from overuse or poor pitching & throwing mechanics. Fortunately, it’s not a life-altering injury, and can be easily treated in a few weeks. And with the necessary corrections, you can prevent it from sidelining your child again in the coming seasons.
What is Pitcher’s Elbow?
Pitcher’s Elbow, also known as Little League Elbow for kids under the age of 12, is a common injury that affects young baseball players. It’s an overuse injury that primarily occurs in pitchers and throwers due to the repetitive and excessive stress placed on the elbow joint during the throwing motion.
The throwing motion in baseball involves a complex series of movements that place a significant strain on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the elbow. When a pitcher repeatedly throws with improper technique, excessive force, or without adequate rest, it can lead to inflammation, pain, and injury in the elbow joint.
The primary cause of Pitcher’s/Thrower’s Elbow is the repetitive stress placed on the inner side of the elbow during the throwing motion. Depending on the movement mechanics and the sport being played, this same stress can cause other injuries like golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis), flexor tendinitis, growth plate injuries, and ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears.
It is essential to recognize the signs and symptoms of Pitcher’s Elbow, such as pain on the inner side of the elbow, swelling, decreased range of motion, and difficulty with throwing. Early intervention and proper management of this condition are crucial to prevent further damage and promote healing.
How to Prevent Pitcher’s Elbow in Youth Baseball
Preventing Pitcher’s Elbow in youth baseball requires a proactive approach rather than a reactive one. We’ll discuss throwing mechanics, warm-up techniques, rest periods, and strength training specific to the muscles and ligaments surrounding the elbow joint. By implementing the following preventive measures, parents, coaches, and young athletes can reduce the risk of developing Pitcher’s Elbow and promote long-term elbow health.
Proper Warm-Up & Stretching
Before engaging in any throwing or pitching activities, it is crucial to ensure a thorough warm-up and stretching routine. Most children in nearly every youth sport, including baseball, are able to “get away” without warming up because their bodies are young and pain-free. But warming up helps prepare the muscles, tendons, and ligaments for the demands of throwing. Without a warmup, your child is immediately at a greater risk of injury, and not just in the elbow region. They could also injure their shoulder or tear a muscle if they jump into practice without a warmup. Some effective warm-up exercises include:
- Light Cardiovascular Exercise: Start with a few minutes of light jogging or cycling to increase blood flow and warm up the body.
- Arm Circles: Stand with your arms extended to the sides and make circular motions with your arms, gradually increasing the size of the circles.
- Shoulder Stretching: Perform gentle stretches for the shoulders, including cross-body arm stretches and shoulder rotations.
- Forearm and Wrist Stretching: Stretch the forearms and wrists by performing wrist flexion and extension exercises and forearm pronation and supination exercises.
- Foam Rolling: Foam rolling the muscles around the elbow, specifically the bicep, tricep, and forearm muscles, will promote blood flow & loosen the muscles, lessening the risk of injury. Your son can use a compact forearm massager that is small enough to be stored in their bat bag.
Limit Pitch Counts & Rest Adequately
One of the most critical aspects of preventing Pitcher’s Elbow is to establish pitch count limits and ensure adequate rest between pitching appearances. Most leagues have pitch counts in place for game play, but if your athlete is also getting pitch lessons and throwing dozens of baseballs in practice without rest, a single-game pitch count won’t help much.
The following guidelines can help in this regard:
- Follow Age-Appropriate Pitch Count Guidelines: Different organizations have specific pitch count recommendations based on the age of the pitcher. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines and ensure they are followed.
- Implement Rest Days: After pitching, rest your arm. Younger pitchers may require 1-2 days of rest between appearances, while older pitchers may need 2-3 days.
- Monitor Workload: Keep track of the number of pitches thrown during practices and games to ensure that pitch count limits are not exceeded.
Fix Throwing Mechanics
Thousands of pitchers across the country have stellar youth careers and unfortunately succumb to elbow & shoulder injuries in high school & college because of poor throwing mechanics. Working with a pitching coach or instructor can help identify and correct any flaws in the throwing motion. Some key aspects that they’ll focus on include:
- Balance and Posture: Maintain proper balance and posture throughout the throwing motion to distribute the forces evenly.
- Arm Slot and Arm Path: Ensure that the arm slot is appropriate for the pitcher’s body mechanics and that the arm follows a smooth and efficient path during the throw.
- Follow-Through: Emphasize a complete and relaxed follow-through after releasing the ball to reduce stress on the elbow joint.
Incorporate Strength & Resistance Training
Strengthening the muscles and ligaments surrounding the elbow joint can provide added support and stability. The following exercises can be beneficial:
- Forearm Strengthening: Perform exercises such as wrist curls, reverse wrist curls, and forearm pronation and supination exercises using light dumbbells or resistance bands.
- Shoulder Strengthening: Include exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff muscles, such as external and internal rotation exercises with resistance bands. Added strength towards the top of the arm joint will result in more stability throughout the elbow & wrist.
- Core and Lower Body Strengthening: A strong core and lower body can contribute to overall body mechanics during the throwing motion. Incorporate exercises like planks, squats, lunges, and hip rotations into the training routine.
By implementing these preventive measures, young baseball players can significantly reduce the risk of developing Pitcher’s Elbow. However, despite taking precautions, injuries may still occur – let’s talk about how to treat the condition and get them back on the mound.
How to Treat Thrower’s Elbow
If a young baseball player develops Thrower’s Elbow, it is crucial to seek appropriate treatment to alleviate pain, promote healing, and prevent further damage. The treatment approach may vary depending on the severity of the injury, but here are some common strategies that can be effective in treating Thrower’s Elbow:
Rest & Ice
Rest is a fundamental aspect of treating Thrower’s Elbow. It allows the injured tissues to heal and reduces further stress on the elbow joint. Your youth athlete should cease all throwing activities until the pain subsides and the elbow has had sufficient time to heal. Apply ice packs to the affected area for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day – 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. This helps reduce inflammation and pain.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can play a role in treatment if the condition is severe enough. They’ll develop a customized treatment plan to address specific weaknesses and imbalances, improve mobility, and promote healing.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
In some cases, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be prescribed by a healthcare professional to help reduce pain and inflammation in the elbow. It is essential to follow the recommended dosage and consult with a healthcare provider before using any medications. You can also give them Ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatory medication in the interim to help with pain, tenderness, and inflammation.
Elbow Brace & Support
Wearing an elbow brace or support can provide stability and alleviate stress on the injured tissues. These braces are designed to limit excessive movement and reduce strain on the elbow joint during activities. They can be particularly beneficial during the recovery phase and when gradually returning to throwing. It’s unlikely that they’ll be able to pitch anywhere near 100% with the brace on, but it’s meant to stabilize the joint when they’re off the mound, not fix the issue entirely.
How to Return to Play
Returning to play after recovering from Thrower’s Elbow requires a careful and gradual approach. Rushing the process can lead to re-injury or the development of chronic elbow issues, which may shorten their athletic career. Here are some steps to follow when returning to play:
Consult with a Healthcare Professional
Before returning to any throwing activities, consult with a healthcare professional, such as a sports medicine physician or orthopedic specialist. They can assess the healing progress, evaluate the strength and range of motion of the elbow, and provide guidance on when it is safe to resume throwing.
Start with Light Throwing
Once cleared by a healthcare professional, begin the return-to-play process by gradually reintroducing light throwing. This can involve short-distance and low-intensity throws to allow the elbow to adapt to the demands of throwing again. It is crucial to pay attention to any signs of discomfort or pain and adjust the intensity and volume accordingly.
Gradually Increase Intensity and Distance
As the elbow tolerates the light throwing and shows improvements, gradually increase the intensity and distance of the throws. This progression should be done incrementally, allowing sufficient time for the elbow to adapt and recover between sessions. It is crucial to continue monitoring any signs of pain or discomfort during and after throwing sessions.
Incorporate Throwing Mechanics Rehabilitation
During the return-to-play process, it is beneficial to work with a knowledgeable coach or instructor to address any lingering issues with throwing mechanics. This can help correct any flawed technique that may have contributed to the initial injury and reduce the risk of re-injury. Regular feedback and analysis of throwing mechanics can aid in optimizing performance while minimizing stress on the elbow joint.
Maintain Strength and Conditioning
Throughout the return-to-play process, it is important to continue with strength and conditioning exercises that target the muscles and ligaments surrounding the elbow joint. This helps to maintain stability, improve overall performance, and reduce the risk of future injuries. A well-rounded exercise program should focus on strengthening the forearm, shoulder, and core muscles.
Monitor and Communicate
Throughout the return-to-play process, it is vital to continually monitor the elbow’s response to throwing activities. Any signs of pain, swelling, or reduced performance should be communicated to the healthcare professional for further evaluation. It is important to proceed with caution and not push through any discomfort or pain.
By following these steps and progressing at a safe and appropriate pace, young athletes can gradually return to full participation in baseball activities after experiencing Thrower’s Elbow. It is crucial to prioritize the long-term health and well-being of the elbow to ensure continued enjoyment of the sport for years to come.