Youth Arm Injuries
a Growing Concern

Youth baseball players throughout Hampton Roads have something in common with major-league pitchers – arm pain. Just as big leaguers sit out the year with an elbow injury, many youth from 8 to 14 years old are sidelined each summer from either throwing too many pitches or throwing breaking balls at too young of an age.

Over-use throwing injuries and breaking pitches are a growing concern among doctors and youth baseball organizations. As a result, Little League Inc. now limits the number of pitches a pitcher can throw per game, while USA Baseball enforces an age minimum for throwing curveballs and sliders. For example, pitchers younger than 14 years old shouldn’t throw a curveball because of the strain it places on their still-developing joints, which can result in injuries such as Little League Elbow.

“Each baseball season in the Peninsula area we see various youth injuries, from contusions and bruises to sore arms and fractures,” says Dr. Boyd Haynes, a sports medicine specialist at Orthopaedic & Spine Center. “Some of these injuries can leave devastating consequences. They can sideline players, take the fun out of the sport, and cause permanent damage to the joint.”

To detect a throwing injury, some signs to look for with your child or grandson this season include:

• Complaint of pain
• Disinterest in pitching
• Change in throwing form
• Tenderness and swelling in the injured area

To treat a throwing injury, options include:

• Resting a player’s arm, especially from throwing
• Using ice to reduce soreness and inflammation
• Visit an orthopaedic physician, especially if symptoms persist

 

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