Little League Elbow Injuries: Is your Child at Risk?
Late spring and summer is fun and exciting for many families as their children participate in little league. One risk of this busy time is Little League elbow injuries especially in pre-teen and early teenagers. Injury occurs when the repetitive throwing creates and excessively strong pull on tendons and ligament of the elbow. This occurs in the younger athletes due to the bones being immature. Some of the symptoms of this problem are the elbow is sore to the touch and may be swollen; a feeling of giving away in the elbow; and pain with catching, throwing overhand, or locking of the elbow.
Treatment of this injury may include chiropractic and physical therapy, rest and use of ice. It is advised that the athlete refrain from any sports, especially throwing sports, until the pain is gone.
Prevention of the little league elbow is always the best. Prevention strategies include:
- Always warm up before pitching with light aerobic exercise, such as jogging or jumping jacks.
- Always stretch your muscles slowing and gently before pitching
- Always follow the pitching rules of your baseball league and to not play in two leagues at the same time.
- Limit your pitching to: 4-10 innings per week, 80-100 pitches per game, 30-40 pitches per practice
- Learn and practice the mechanics of good pitching technique
- Do not throw curve balls and sliders until high school when the growth plate in your elbow is fused with the bone
At Montrose Family Chiropractic, we can evaluate your condition and give your guidelines on the best way to care for your athlete. You can reach us at (763)675-3121.