Elbow Pain In Baseball

As with other sports today, baseball has become a year-round concentration for many athletes.  That being said, it is important to recognize that certain areas of the body are being stressed with little time to recover. The forces created at the elbow and shoulder during the throwing motion, especially pitching, can be the cause of multiple injuries.  Regarding the elbow, Osteochondritis Dissecans, or softening and degeneration of the cartilage and bone, can result from excessive compressive forces or stress to the outside of the elbow.  The radius bone ,on the outside of the arm, meets the humerus at what is called the capitellum, and this is where the problem occurs.  It is most commonly seen in 12-15 year old baseball players, and usually starts as a dull pain on the outside of the elbow, progressing to sharp pain w/throwing and “locking” of the elbow as the player tries to extend the elbow.  If left untreated, the lesion can progress to an unstable joint or loose bone chip, with severe functional loss.  Therefore, it is important to listen to your player’s report of pain and seek medical consultation if rest for 3-4 weeks doesn’t alleviate the problem; as a coach, it is imperative that you take seriously any complaints of pain to avoid serious injury and lost time on the field.

Gregg A. Tobey, PT