Youth Arm Injuries: A Growing Concern in Sports

Many youth are forced from the playing field each year due to throwing too many pitches or throwing breaking balls at too young of an age. As a result, pitch-count limits and proper rest are being enforced from dugout to dugout.

According to a new study by Little League Baseball and the University of North Carolina, the most damaging practice to young arms could be the number of pitches thrown, not the type of pitch. From little leaguers to high school athletes, it is imperative that coaches are aware of the following signs and symptoms:

Signs to look for in your athletes:

• Expression of pain
• Lack of interest in pitching and throwing
• Throwing form modification
• Soreness and swelling in the injured area

Treatment options for a throwing injury include:

• Resting a player’s throwing arm
• Using ice to reduce inflammation

“It is important to follow the necessary precautions to help prevent overuse injuries,” explains Dr. Thomas E. Dudley, orthopedic surgeon at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists.

For additional information on overuse injuries or other sports-related injuries, contact the sports medicine physicians at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists by calling (320) 335-6078.