health and safety
Bellaire Little League is committed to the health & safety of all our participants. In cases where an injury does occur, BLL in conjunction with Little League University will follow protocols set by Little League’s A Safety Awareness Program (ASAP). These protocols can be reviewed here:
The most common injuries that can occur in throwers are known as Little League Shoulder and Elbow
What is Little League Shoulder/Elbow?
An overuse injury affecting the growth plate in the arm bone (humerus) of young athletes, particularly pitchers, due to repetitive throwing. When athletes throw without appropriate rest, the growth plate becomes inflamed and may lead to separation of the bone from the growth plate. It is characterized by pain, swelling, inflammation and tenderness in the shoulder/elbow, as well as decreased throwing velocity and accuracy. This is usually seen in children between the ages of 8-14.
What are the symptoms?
- Pain in the shoulder/elbow when throwing
- Swelling
- Loss of range of motion
- Stiffening of the shoulder/elbow
What are the causes?
- Repetitive throwing at high speeds places stress onto the joint. .
- Improper throwing mechanics
- Inadequate rest
- Throwing through pain
How is it diagnosed?
Your child’s doctor may ask several questions about their sports history. This may include
- How often they participate in baseball
- How often they throw weekly
- How many leagues they participate in
- How often per year do they rest from baseball
In addition, an X-ray or other diagnostic imaging studies may be taken
What is the treatment?
Treatment involves a period of rest followed by a progressive throwing rehabilitation program
What can I do to prevent it?
- Follow the Pitch Smart Guidelines developed by USA Baseball and the MLB
- Proper mechanics when throwing
- Appropriate warmup before throwing
- Take 4 months off from throwing every year, with at least 2-3 of those months being continuous
- Avoid year-round pitching, the #1 risk factor for injury
- Encourage your child to participate in other sports
What should I do if my child complains of arm pain?
Discontinue throwing immediately and consult with your doctor!
What if I allow my child to play through the pain?
Little league elbow/shoulder is more than general aches/pains. Continued throwing may lead to disruption of the growth plate and growth plate fractures, which may lead to chronic pain. This can jeopardize their athletic performance. It is important to discontinue throwing immediately any time there is pain and to consult with your doctor
References:
Bednar ED, Kay J, Memon M, Simunovic N, Purcell L, Ayeni OR. Diagnosis and Management of Little League Shoulder: A Systematic Review. Orthop J Sports Med. 2021 Jul 29;9(7):23259671211017563. doi: 10.1177/23259671211017563. PMID: 34377716; PMCID: PMC8330489.
DiFiori JP, Benjamin HJ, Brenner JS, et al. (2014) Overuse injuries and burnout in youth sports: a position statement from the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. British Journal of Sports Medicine; 48:287-288.
Buckley PS, Bishop M, Kane P, Ciccotti MC, Selverian S, Exume D, Emper W, Freedman KB, Hammoud S, Cohen SB, Ciccotti MG. (2017). Early Single-Sport Specialization: A Survey of 3090 High School, Collegiate, and Professional Athletes. Orthop J Sports Med. 28;5(7)
Medina G, Bartolozzi AR 3rd, Spencer JA, Morgan C. The Thrower's Shoulder. JBJS Rev 2022; 10.
Heyworth BE, Kramer DE, Martin DJ, et al. Trends in the Presentation, Management, and Outcomes of Little League Shoulder. Am J Sports Med 2016; 44:1431.
This page is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Please consult with your doctor for any further inquiries