As the weather warms up, young athletes in the Greater St. Louis area eagerly return to the baseball and softball fields. While this is an exciting time, it’s crucial to be aware of common injuries that can affect young players, particularly those impacting the shoulder and elbow. Understanding these injuries, their causes, and prevention strategies can help keep your child healthy and in the game.
Understanding Overuse Injuries: Little League Shoulder & Little League Elbow
Repetitive throwing motions place significant stress on the developing bones and joints of young athletes, potentially leading to overuse injuries such as Little League Shoulder and Little League Elbow. These conditions are commonly seen in youth baseball and softball players throughout St. Louis and beyond, particularly those who play multiple seasons or specialize in pitching at an early age.
Little League Shoulder
- Typically affects athletes aged 11 to 16.
- Involves inflammation of the growth plate at the top of the humerus (upper arm bone).
- Caused by excessive pitching, inadequate rest, and improper throwing mechanics.
- Symptoms: Shoulder pain while throwing, reduced throwing velocity, possible swelling.
- Early recognition and intervention are crucial to prevent long-term damage.
Little League Elbow
- Affects players between 8 and 15 years old.
- Caused by stress to the growth plate on the inner elbow from repetitive throwing.
- Symptoms: Pain on the inside of the elbow, swelling, and difficulty fully extending the arm.
- If untreated, it can lead to serious elbow complications and long-term mobility issues.
What To Do If Your Child Experiences Throwing Pain
If your child reports shoulder or elbow pain during or after throwing, follow these steps:
- Stop Throwing Immediately – Continuing to throw through pain can worsen the injury.
- Apply Ice – Use an ice pack wrapped in a towel on the affected area for 15-20 minutes, several times per day.
- Seek a Professional Evaluation – A sports physical therapist can assess the injury, provide expert guidance, and refer to a physician if needed. At Axes Physical Therapy, with 21 locations across the Greater St. Louis area, our specialists can evaluate and treat young athletes quickly.
Treatment Approaches for Baseball & Softball Injuries
Managing these injuries effectively involves:
- Rest & Recovery: Growth plates need time to heal before returning to throwing.
- Physical Therapy: A structured rehab program strengthens the shoulder, elbow, and core muscles to prevent reinjury.
- Gradual Return to Play: A monitored throwing program helps rebuild strength safely.
Axes Physical Therapy provides customized rehab programs to help youth athletes recover and return to play with confidence. If your child is struggling with shoulder or elbow pain, schedule an appointment today at one of our St. Louis-area clinics.
How to Prevent Overuse Injuries in Young Athletes
Prevention is key to reducing injury risk. Here’s how to protect your child’s arm this season:
1. Follow Pitch Count Guidelines
- Adhere to age-based pitch count limits and required rest days as recommended by Little League Baseball.
- Avoid year-round throwing – experts recommend at least 3-4 months of rest from overhead throwing each year.
2. Ensure Proper Throwing Mechanics
- Work with qualified coaches or a physical therapist to correct any faulty mechanics that could be putting stress on the arm.
- Consider a throwing evaluation at Axes Physical Therapy for a professional assessment of mechanics, muscle imbalances, and injury risk factors.
3. Strengthen Supporting Muscles
- Strengthening the shoulder, arm, and core helps maintain stability and reduces excess strain on joints.
- Our sports performance programs at Axes Physical Therapy focus on preventing common baseball and softball injuries.
4. Rest & Recovery
- Ensure proper rest between games and don’t allow kids to play through pain.
- Playing multiple sports that use different movement patterns can help avoid overuse injuries.
St. Louis’ Trusted Experts in Youth Sports Physical Therapy
At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in treating and preventing sports injuries in young athletes across St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson County, and surrounding areas. Whether your child needs rehabilitation for a throwing-related injury or a pre-season evaluation to improve performance and reduce injury risk, we’re here to help.
If your young athlete is experiencing shoulder or elbow pain, don’t wait!
Contact Axes Physical Therapy today to schedule an appointment and get them back in the game safely.
