Baseball can be a stressful game on a young player's body. This is particularly true of the shoulder and elbow, the two parts of the arm that do most of the work in the throwing process. When young players throw too much, the growth plate of the elbow can be impacted and Little League elbow may result.
Ice and Compression Sleeve
A young pitcher may develop Little League elbow suddenly or over time. The pitcher may throw one hard pitch and feel a surge of pain at the inner portion of the elbow. It may also develop with a gradual soreness and swelling. The elbow must be treated with ice for 15 to 20 minutes. The elbow then should be placed in a compression sleeve, which will put pressure on the area and support the tendons and muscles.
Rest
After the initial treatment, the young pitcher must rest his elbow. Depending on the severity of the pain and the extent of the injury, the usual period of rest is 4 to 6 weeks. It should continue to be treated with ice and compression wraps. This should be done in conjunction with a physician, who should supervise treatment. The physician may order an X-ray of the elbow to make sure there is not a more serious problem.
Casting
Surgery is almost never a solution for Little League elbow. However, if the physician is concerned about further movement aggravating the condition, casting of the elbow for 2 to 4 weeks may be required. This will keep the young player from giving in to temptation and throwing a baseball or engaging in other physical activity that could aggravate the condition.
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