Steer Clear of Throwing Injuries
From little leaguers to high school athletes, it is imperative that coaches are aware of some key signs and symptoms of throwing injuries.
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
- Supportive braces or taping techniques, which can provide stability to the injured joint and help prevent excessive movement or stress
It is also important to follow the necessary precautions to help prevent overuse injuries.
Proper Preparation
Before your athletes even head to the field, make sure they get a physical exam. By identifying any potential medical problems, you can avoid injuries or illnesses down the road. Also, make sure to stretch and warm up before practices and games.
Focus on Technique
Ensure players use proper throwing technique and that shoulders and hips stay aligned with each other. This means avoiding excessive rotation or "opening up" of the shoulders too early in the throw, which can place undue stress on the shoulder. For youth baseball, there are established guidelines concerning the number of pitches thrown according to age.
Safe Return to Play
Before an injured player returns to play, all the symptoms must be completely gone. For joint problems, there can be no swelling or pain and full range of motion is essential. For overuse injuries, gradually return to a throwing program.
Always remember that communication between the athlete, coach, doctors, and parents is key to diagnosing and treating baseball injuries. If you have a player who sustains an injury, call Tri-County Orthopedics at (973) 538-2334 and ask for our Sports Medicine Center experts.