Overuse, overload and overexertion
 Dr. John Deitch |
Injuries in young athletes are on the rise, but elbow and shoulder injuries in youth are on the verge of becoming an epidemic. Thousands of young athletes are seen each year complaining of elbow and shoulder pain.
There are nearly three million Little League, adolescent and high school-aged baseball players in the United States.
Between 2005 and 2007, there were more than 22,000 high school baseball-related shoulder injuries alone. Pitching was the most common mechanism causing shoulder and elbow injury.
These statistics validate the importance of these injuries and indicate that all coaches, parents and athletes should be aware of the most up-to-date recommendations for injury prevention in this population.
“A team approach is required for injury prevention,” said WellSpan orthopedic surgeon John Deitch, M.D., a fellowship-trained sports medicine specialist and director of WellSpan Sports Medicine. “Parents, coaches, trainers/therapists and physicians need to work with the throwing athlete. Everyone plays a role in helping to minimize injuries.”
While factors such as weather conditions and hazardous playing fields contribute to some sports injuries, playing injured or overtired, conditioning and training errors and improper techniques are the biggest culprits we have control over.
“It’s important to build a solid foundation,” said Deitch. “If a child is ready for organized sports, he or she is ready for strength training.
“It’s important to gain athleticism before skills,” he said. “Without basic elements of athleticism, most players are unable to master baseball specific skills.”
Athletes who are required to pitch or throw several hundred times during a practice or a game put a large amount of stress on their shoulders and elbows. Deitch said “the three O’s—Overuse, Overload and Overexertion” contribute to many throwing injuries.
Overuse comes from too many pitches, while overload is the result of inadequate rest and recovery. Overexertion comes from overthrowing.
Athletes with throwing injuries may experience:
- Progressive pain
- Pain on the inner area of the elbow
- Shoulder pain when throwing
- Pain and soreness that persists after throwing for two or three days
- Significant loss in throwing speed
- Loss of control during pitching
- Swelling or tenderness around the upper arm
Some tips to prevent overuse throwing injuries:
- Warm up properly by stretching, running and easy, gradual throwing
- Avoid pitching on multiple teams with overlapping seasons
- Don’t pitch with elbow or shoulder pain. If the pain persists for more than four days, see a doctor
- Don’t pitch on consecutive days
- Don’t play year-round
- Communicate regularly about how your arm is feeling and if there is pain
- Emphasize control, accuracy and good mechanics
Contact WellSpan Sports Medicine at 1-877-482-5420 if you have any concerns about injury or are interested in injury-prevention strategy.