Elbow Question?

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My youngest DD started developing what sounds like tendonitis in her throwing arm. It started last fall about the same time that her throwing speed seemed to really improve. She complained of a burning, irritating feeling. It started to get so bad that she seemed to notice it while she was swinging a bat as well. We made it through the fall took a couple weeks off and then into winter ball. Seemed ok for the most of the season but she was playing 1st base most of the time so no real test on the arm. We played at spanodome last weekend and after 1 game she was making those faces like something was bothering her and it kept getting worse the rest of the weekend. She's not the type that will sitout due to something like that cause she enjoys playing too much. I don't know if she is doing something wrong in her throwing motion or if it's just the type of thing that happened from overextension and just needs time to heal. I have already told her we won't be doing any throwing until April and not to throw anything in gym or anywhere else and hope it goes away. Is there anything else we should do? Also, if I could video her throwing could someone tell me if what she's doing seems ok? Thanks for any input.

 

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Golfnut, sounds similar to what my daughter went through. This lasted over a year until but she always said she was "ok". When she actually said it was bothering her we had her checked out and found out she had torn the ligament and needed "Tommy John" surgery. Going to hold off until August (hopefully) as this is her junior year and her big recruiting year. My suggestion is to have it checked out, may be nothing, but why take the chance.

 

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It's a repetitive stress syndrome/injury from improperly following through on her throw, which causes the elbow to repeatedly snap. She really needs to learn how to allow the arm to decelerate during the follow through. This will save her arm from further injury and definately solve the problem, provided the injury she has now hasn't already done damage.
Another thing you can get that really helps is the little neoprene/velcro straps that go around the forearm just below the elbow joint. This strap compresses the forearm muscles and helps stabilize the elbow. But she still will need to work on throwing mechanics. Best of Luck!!!

 

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We have already purchased the strap and she felt a great deal of relief using it. So when should she start to slow down the arm? Are there any drills or devices out there now that would really aid in throwing mechanics? I've seen a strap that goes on the arm at the elbow that is suppose to help get the arm to 90 degrees but i don't know if this would help with her problem. Thanks for the input.

 

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Golfnut, how young/old is your DD?? My quick response without going into a lot of detail. When she throws, is her back foot releasing/dragging on her follow through. She should look similar to a major league BB pitcher on her follow through.

That back foot should drag/release, she should be bending over at the waist, and her arm decelerating while bending at the waist on her follow through, with the hand/arm finishing across the body to the opposite side. From the release of the ball in lets say the 9-10 o'clock position, the follow through should have her hand finishing pointing down toward the 5-6 o'clock position. This transition is the deceleration part of the throw and will keep her arm healthy. Mimic the follow through of a major league pitcher and she is well on her way. Although the MLB pitcher follow through is maybe a little overkill, but it should give you a good idea of how the backside (foot) should release and and allow for proper deceleration.

 

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Here is a pretty good video showing proper throwing mechanics from Coach Marc Dagenais at SoftballPerformance.com...

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My dd is 13. thanks again for all the info.

 

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I developed elbow tendonitis the last game of the season I pitched when I was 16 for the first and only time in my life. I had unrelated surgery on my ankle that fall and by the time I started working out for baseball that following February all signs of the tendonitis were gone and never returned. I know you don't want to hear this but she probably needs to take a break (more than two weeks) from throwing or it won't go away and will probably get worse. Tendons take a LONG time to heal. Best thing would be to get her to the doctor. THEN re-evaluate her throwing mechanics once she's healed.

 

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In my prior posts I was commenting on the causes and possible corrections, but I totally agree with Hornet that she needs to stop throwing, probably see a Dr. if the pain persists and just let it heal. Then start her back slowly throwing with a good warmup.

Another thing that is overlooked is the quality, length and intensity of her throwing workout. She really needs to learn to warmup slowly, focusing on a relaxed throwing motion, with a good follow thru and steadily progress into longer throws to build arm strength. Once you get to the farther distances start off with just a few and over the course of a few weeks or month add more (quality) reps. Always stop at the first sign of any pain!!!

 

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I'm not sure if this would interest you or not but if you live near the Cincinnati area, Cincinnati Children's has 2 physical therapists who work with kids who are having pain while throwing baseball or softball (with the goal they can correct the biomechanics before the child needs surgery or has to stop playing due to injury)--you just need a referral from your doctor to Physical Therapy that mentions she is having pain while throwing.

Good luck.

 

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A kid can get inflamation of the tendon even with a proper throwing motion. Their bodies are still growing, hormones etc. Some advil , ice (a must) and rest will help.

 

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I think the first thing to do is have a physician check it out.

 

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If you want to send me a private message with a phone number, I would be glad to share my daughter's experience and the things that you will need to do to stop the problems.