What Is Little League Shoulder?
Little League shoulder is an injury that young baseball players can develop through overusing their shoulder. Its most common in 泫圖弝けren ages 1014 who play pitcher or catcher regularly. Its rare in softball players or other athletes.
Children have a growth plate at the top of their upper arm bone. The growth plate is weaker than bone because it is mostly cartilage until it naturally closes when 泫圖弝けren finish growing. In Little League shoulder, this cartilage becomes injured and causes pain with throwing.
Little League Shoulder vs. Throwers Shoulder
Both Little League shoulder and throwers shoulder are overuse injuries caused by throwing. However, Little League shoulder affects the growth plate specifically. Throwers shoulder refers to pain, weakness, and rotator cuff irritation from throwing. It typically occurs in older athletes who have finished growing.
Little League Shoulder Symptoms
The telltale sign of Little League shoulder is pain when throwing. The pains location is specific, affecting the side of the upper shoulder. How the pain feels varies. It can be achy, dull, or sharp.
Most 泫圖弝けren dont have shoulder pain in their daily activities. In severe cases, some 泫圖弝けren might have pain when they reach overhead.
When to See a Doctor for Little League Shoulder
Your 泫圖弝け should see their primary care provider if they have pain with throwing. Their provider may refer you to a pediatric sports medicine physician for further evaluation and treatment.
Your 泫圖弝け may want to push through and continue throwing. This can make the injury worse. Getting treatment when the pain starts can lead to a quicker recovery.
Find a Pediatric Shoulder Specialist
Little League Shoulder Diagnosis
Your 泫圖弝けs diagnosis starts by talking about symptoms and medical history. The pediatric sports medicine physician asks several questions:
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Does anything make the pain better or worse?
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How long have they had pain?
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How often does your 泫圖弝け throw or pitch?
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What position does your 泫圖弝け play?
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Where is the pain located?
They will also examine your 泫圖弝けs shoulder to check their posture, strength, and range of motion. They may press on the shoulder directly over the growth plate to find out if its tender. Your 泫圖弝け will also get an X-ray to look closely at their growth plate.
Little League Shoulder Treatment
The main treatment for Little League shoulder is rest. Typically, 泫圖弝けren need to stop throwing for at least four weeks. Avoiding pitching and warm-ups in the bullpen lets the growth plate heal.
Our pediatric sports medicine specialists also prescribe physical therapy during healing. Your 泫圖弝け works with a skilled, specialized pediatric physical therapist. This therapist gives them exercises to help strengthen and stretch their shoulder while the growth plate heals.
Can You Hit With Little League Shoulder?
Children can practice batting while healing from Little League shoulder if they dont have pain. They can also perform other activities such as swimming or playing basketball, as long as theyre pain-free.
Pediatric Sports Medicine Program
Our Pediatric Sports Medicine Program is centered around young athletes. We understand the high demands and pressures of competitive youth sports. Our team cares for all aspects of a young athlete's health.
Little League Shoulder Recovery Time
Children return for a follow-up visit after their four-week rest period. Their sports medicine physician checks for shoulder pain or tenderness. Most 泫圖弝けren dont have any pain at this point.
They follow a structured return-to-throw plan. The plan involves keeping track of how many pitches your 泫圖弝け throws. You do this over several weeks while your 泫圖弝け slowly returns to normal volumes. This approach allows them to begin throwing gradually to prevent reinjury.
How to Prevent Little League Shoulder
Monitoring how much your 泫圖弝け throws is crucial to preventing Little League shoulder. USA Baseball, Major League Baseball, and medical researchers have worked together to establish guidelines for pitchers age 722. The guide details recommended pitch count limits and rest time.
Its important to include the time your 泫圖弝け throws outside of baseball practice and games in their pitch count. Resting at least one to two days per week will help your 泫圖弝けs performance and lower their risk of Little League shoulder.
Pediatric Shoulder Pain and Injuries
Children typically experience two types of shoulder injuries: acute injuries and overuse injuries.
Acute injuries are sudden, traumatic injuries. Children may experience several types:
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Acromioclavicular (AC) joint sprains, affecting the joint where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade
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Collarbone fractures
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Shoulder contusions (bone bruises)
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Shoulder dislocations
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Shoulder muscle strains
Overuse injuries develop slowly from repetitive movements. Children commonly experience several types:
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Little League shoulder
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Shoulder impingement, when tendons swell and rub against the shoulder blade
Why Choose 泫圖弝け of Utah 泫圖弝け?
Our 泫圖弝け Orthopaedic 泫圖弝け team includes dedicated pediatric sports medicine physicians and surgeons. We specialize in treating 泫圖弝けren with sports injuries and are experts in the latest leading-edge treatments.
Your 泫圖弝け also works with pediatric-trained physical therapists. Our team includes therapists who specialize in throwing injuries, so your 泫圖弝け gets targeted care for Little League shoulder.
With many locations from Salt Lake City to Provo, our pediatric clinics provide comprehensive care in convenient settings.
Make an Appointment
Call 801-587-7109 to request an appointment with a pediatric sports medicine specialist. We dont require referrals, but some insurance plans do. We recommend checking with your insurance provider before you schedule your appointment.
