Your elbow is deeply involved when you play baseball. Between directing a pitch to absorbing the impact of batting, this joint frequently gets injured. Pitchers are the most affected because of the sheer repetition of the motions required in this position. The most common elbow injury in baseball is called medial apophysitis, and although it's usually mild and easily treated, it can be serious enough to warrant surgery. Most elbow injuries in baseball are a degree of medial apophysitis.
Symptoms
Pain is the earliest and most common symptom of medial apophysitis, and joint stiffness and a decreased range of motion can follow. Ironically, concerns about being taken out of the game induce many amateur players to grin and bear it, but allowing the condition to progress can alter your performance so much that you may have to leave the game because you can't play your position.
Causes
Medial apophysitis usually occurs because of overuse but can also happen as a result of trauma. Stressing your elbow joint too heavily or too frequently without rest can damage the tendons and ligaments that "hinge" the joint together. If you do not seek treatment, continued use of your elbow playing baseball can actually tear the supportive structures away from the bone, taking bone fragments with them. In the case of child players, this damage can result in bone growth deformities.
Treatment
Younger players generally respond well to conservative treatment, whereas adults may require surgery. Initial treatment is rest, ice and rehabilitative therapy. In moderate cases, you may require ultrasound and electrical stimulation treatments from a physical therapist. A 2007 study in the "American Journal of Orthopedics" reports that of the professional pitchers surveyed, those who required elbow surgery were more likely to sustain a shoulder injury at a later time, so practicing prevention is an important part of recovery.
Prevention
A thorough warm up before every practice and game helps get blood circulating to the areas that you will stress during play, and a regular stretching routine will keep your elbow flexible and supple. Wrist- and forearm-strengthening exercises train the muscles to support the joint more effectively and keep the majority of the strain off of your tendons, ligaments and joint. In some cases, you can take additional measures, like equipment modification, altering your throwing form or bracing---ask your coach whether these techniques are necessary or appropriate for you.
Member Comments