Abstract
Little League elbow is a common overuse injury that will become more prevalent as more youths participate in baseball programs and other sports that involve overhead arm activities. The condition is highly treatable if diagnosed early in its development. Symptoms such as swelling and limited range of motion usually indicate an advanced overuse condition. Prevention and treatment should emphasize education of athletes, parents, and coaches about coaches about its etiology. Factors involved are proper pitching mechanics, stretching and strengthening programs, improving early recognition, and, most importantly, limiting the number of pitches thrown daily.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Adams J. E. Bone injuries in very young athletes. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1968 May-Jun;58:129–140. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Albright J. A., Jokl P., Shaw R., Albright J. P. Clinical study of baseball pitchers: correlation of injury to the throwing arm with method of delivery. Am J Sports Med. 1978 Jan-Feb;6(1):15–21. doi: 10.1177/036354657800600104. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- BROGDON B. G., CROW N. E. Little leaguer's elbow. Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med. 1960 Apr;83:671–675. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Brighton C. T. Structure and function of the growth plate. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1978 Oct;(136):22–32. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Grana W. A., Rashkin A. Pitcher's elbow in adolescents. Am J Sports Med. 1980 Sep-Oct;8(5):333–336. doi: 10.1177/036354658000800507. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Gugenheim J. J., Jr, Stanley R. F., Woods G. W., Tullos H. S. Little League survey: the Houston study. Am J Sports Med. 1976 Sep-Oct;4(5):189–200. doi: 10.1177/036354657600400501. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Lipscomb A. B. Baseball pitching injuries in growing athletes. J Sports Med. 1975 Jan-Feb;3(1):25–34. doi: 10.1177/036354657500300105. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Micheli L. J., Fehlandt A. F., Jr Overuse injuries to tendons and apophyses in children and adolescents. Clin Sports Med. 1992 Oct;11(4):713–726. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Micheli L. J. Overuse injuries in children's sports: the growth factor. Orthop Clin North Am. 1983 Apr;14(2):337–360. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Pappas A. M. Elbow problems associated with baseball during childhood and adolescence. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1982 Apr;(164):30–41. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Specht E. E. Epiphyseal injuries in childhood. Am Fam Physician. 1974 Oct;10(4):101–109. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Torg J. S., Moyer R. A. Non-union of a stress fracture through the olecranon epiphyseal plate observed in an adolescent baseball pitcher. A case report. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1977 Mar;59(2):264–265. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Wilson F. D., Andrews J. R., Blackburn T. A., McCluskey G. Valgus extension overload in the pitching elbow. Am J Sports Med. 1983 Mar-Apr;11(2):83–88. doi: 10.1177/036354658301100206. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]