Little League Elbow & Children's Throwing Injuries

By Joe Moore, PT

Do you play baseball?

Do you pitch?

Hey parents, do you count your kid's pitches?

This fall at STAR Physical Therapy's Medford office, we have seen many kids with Little League Elbow Syndrome. These kids have been 14 years old and younger. They are baseball and softball players. DON'T LET IT HAPPEN TO YOUR KIDS!

Little League Elbow Syndrome occurs most commonly in pitchers, but can happen to all throwers. With the increase in single-sport participation and year-round training, there has been a significant increase in overuse injuries to all young athletes; especially throwers.

During the throwing motion, a valgus stress is placed on the elbow, where the elbow is turned outward from the body to an abnormal degree. This stress causes tension of the elbow ligaments which results in pain on the inside of the elbow. If your child has pain on the inside of their elbow, they need to STOP throwing and see a healthcare provider. This pain may just be a strain or sprain, but it can lead to a FRACTURE!

Over-throwing is the most common cause. One common recommendation for throwing is:
8-10 years old: 50 pitches
11-14 years old: 75 pitches
15-16 years old: 90 pitches
17-18 years old: 105 pitches
That is per game or day.

Other common recommendations are:
Age 8: fast balls ONLY
Age 10: change ups
Age 14: curve balls
Age 15: knuckle ball and sliders
Age 16: you can progress to other pitches.

If symptoms occur, the most common course of treatment is REST, ICE, and PHYSICAL THERAPY. For more information on Little League Elbow Syndrome and other sports related pain or injury, please call your physician or any STAR Physical Therapy office to speak to a PT professional.