After Throwing A Softball, Why Does My Joint Opposite The Elbow Hurt?

Pain in or near the elbow after throwing a softball is a common symptom of an overuse injury, especially for children and teens who regularly play baseball or softball and engage in repetitive throwing and pitching. Excessive and forceful use of the elbow can damage the muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints. Overuse injuries can lead to pain in the joint opposite your elbow, notes the Cleveland Clinic.

The Elbow

The elbow is the joint where your upper arm bone, or humerus, meets the two bones of your lower arm, the ulna and radius. The elbow structure is comprised of three articulations, which are sometimes referred to as joints--humeroulnar, humeroradial and proximal radioulnar, The three joints are combined in one joint capsule. The humeroulnar functions as a hinge joint, while the humeroradial functions as a pivot joint. The ligaments attached to the elbow joints stabilize the elbow and restrict motion to flexion, extension and rotation. Fluids, cartilage and shock-absorber-like discs protect the elbow joints against injury. Repetitive throwing puts the structures of your elbow to excessive and potentially damaging use, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

UCL Injury

Injury to the ulnar collateral ligament, known as UCL injury, is the most common softball injury, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. The UCL, which is located near the humeroulnar joint, stabilizes the elbow for performance of pitching motions. UCL injury occurs when young softball players throw the ball too hard or too much. Some people hear a pop when the UCL is damaged. You can cause UCL injury if you fail to rest your arm during games or if your throwing technique is poor. You might experience pain from a UCL injury in your elbow or shoulder on the day after throwing or painful, limited movement of the injured joint. Pain is most often noticed just before you release the ball. You may experience irritation in your ulnar nerve, which is known as the funny bone. Damage to the UCL is difficult to repair.

Osteochondritis Dissecans

Osteochondritis dissecans is an overuse injury that causes pain on the outside of the elbow. Repetitive throwing results in excessive pulling and pushing of muscles in the elbow, which can compress immature bones together and cause the bones and cartilage to loosen and break apart. Continued throwing without remedy of the injury can result in serious complications and might require young people to avoid sports that require throwing.

Little Leaguer's Elbow

Little Leaguer's elbow, also called Little League elbow, a medical condition known as medial apophysitis, occurs when repetitive throwing causes excessive pulling on the elbow's tendons and ligaments. The injury occurs with young pitchers who have not reached puberty. Pain is usually located on the inside of the elbow. Symptoms of overuse injuries from softball include elbow pain, locking of the elbow joint and restricted range of motion. Repeated strong pulling can tear ligaments and tendons away from bones, cause fragmenting of the bone and result in deformity.

Tips and Warnings

Talk to your doctor if you suspect you have an overuse injury. Warm up before playing a game by stretching, running and gradually increasing your throwing force. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends that children throw no more than 200 pitches in one week and play only three or four innings in a game. Stop throwing as soon as pain or other symptoms of overuse injury occur.