To Softball pitchers wrist tendinitis is a common condition that occurs when tendons become inflamed and a slight irritation sets in. Wrist tendinitis in softball pitching, therefore, refers to the early stages of tendon inflammation and irritation that occurs due to overuse of the arm caused by the mislead notion that a good pitcher should have the stamina and the mental agility to work through slight pain. If not handled at the early stages, the condition becomes chronic.
Wrist tendons
Tendons are structures that connect the muscle to the bones in the human body. At the wrist, wrist tendons join the forearm muscles to the bones in the hands and the fingers. Whenever a pitcher pitches, these tendons transfer the force from the muscle into their arm. The continued movement back and forth creates friction in sheath housing the tendons which eventually results in the inflammation and irritation of the tendons causing tendinitis. With softball pitchers, the inflammation is rampant especially in girls because their muscles fatigue is faster when under pressure.
Symptoms of wrist tendinitis
In a player, the main symptoms include a pain and tenderness of the inflamed area. The pain is intense on either the little-finger or thumb sides or junction where the arm meets the hand and can creep up into the elbow when the hand is used. Once the pain starts in the swollen areas around the wrist, a pitcher may also experience warmth and a redness of the tendons which makes it soft to the touch. On most occasions, moving the wrist is followed by grinding sensations that go away once the movement stops. Once the condition starts, a pitcher will experience abridged movement or faintness of the part of the muscle that is pulled by inflamed tendon. In some cases, the body part will feel stiff. After a few days, the problem will just go away or could last for a long period if not treated correctly.
Treatment options
Resting the tendons
The most basic thing to remember when treating Softball pitchers wrist tendinitis is that this is a condition mainly caused by fatigue of the tendons. Therefore, the pain and inflammation easily goes away once rest and overuse of the affected regions is stopped. To ensure the health of the pitchers and prevent the escalation of problem to chronic levels the first step should be rest followed by casting or sheathing the arm to rest the tendons and reduce the inflammation. Once rested, physical therapy is advised to identify and avoid painful movements in the future.
Icing and painkillers
To cool the inflammation, ice should be applied to the affected regions. Icing increases blood flow to the inflamed regions which is helpful in reducing the pain. To many players, icing alone is not enough in pain reduction hence non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers are advised. These painkillers reduce pain and treat the tendons to reduce the swellings.
Cortisone injections and surgery
In severe cases, the options of cortisone injections that are injected directly into the inflamed areas are advised but should be avoided because repeated usage weakens the tendons. When all options have failed, a simple surgical process is used to remove the swollen tissue allowing the tendons to move freely.
Wrist tendons
Tendons are structures that connect the muscle to the bones in the human body. At the wrist, wrist tendons join the forearm muscles to the bones in the hands and the fingers. Whenever a pitcher pitches, these tendons transfer the force from the muscle into their arm. The continued movement back and forth creates friction in sheath housing the tendons which eventually results in the inflammation and irritation of the tendons causing tendinitis. With softball pitchers, the inflammation is rampant especially in girls because their muscles fatigue is faster when under pressure.
Symptoms of wrist tendinitis
In a player, the main symptoms include a pain and tenderness of the inflamed area. The pain is intense on either the little-finger or thumb sides or junction where the arm meets the hand and can creep up into the elbow when the hand is used. Once the pain starts in the swollen areas around the wrist, a pitcher may also experience warmth and a redness of the tendons which makes it soft to the touch. On most occasions, moving the wrist is followed by grinding sensations that go away once the movement stops. Once the condition starts, a pitcher will experience abridged movement or faintness of the part of the muscle that is pulled by inflamed tendon. In some cases, the body part will feel stiff. After a few days, the problem will just go away or could last for a long period if not treated correctly.
Treatment options
Resting the tendons
The most basic thing to remember when treating Softball pitchers wrist tendinitis is that this is a condition mainly caused by fatigue of the tendons. Therefore, the pain and inflammation easily goes away once rest and overuse of the affected regions is stopped. To ensure the health of the pitchers and prevent the escalation of problem to chronic levels the first step should be rest followed by casting or sheathing the arm to rest the tendons and reduce the inflammation. Once rested, physical therapy is advised to identify and avoid painful movements in the future.
Icing and painkillers
To cool the inflammation, ice should be applied to the affected regions. Icing increases blood flow to the inflamed regions which is helpful in reducing the pain. To many players, icing alone is not enough in pain reduction hence non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers are advised. These painkillers reduce pain and treat the tendons to reduce the swellings.
Cortisone injections and surgery
In severe cases, the options of cortisone injections that are injected directly into the inflamed areas are advised but should be avoided because repeated usage weakens the tendons. When all options have failed, a simple surgical process is used to remove the swollen tissue allowing the tendons to move freely.
