Injuries are a common occurrence for baseball players of all ages who often play at competitive levels. These sports injuries are specifically due to overuse. The majority of common baseball injuries afflict pitchers the worst. We’ll discuss these frequent baseball injuries along with a few ways to treat them should they occur.
Most Common Baseball Injuries
- Muscle Strains
Rotating the body sharply and quickly is a crucial skill for pitchers to possess. However, doing this repeatedly causes strain on the body, particularly your muscles, which leads to muscle strain injuries. The MLB has seen 20+ players go on the disabled list annually due to this injury in the last 20 years.
- Labral Tear
A labral tear is a shoulder injury caused by the fibrocartilage surrounding the shoulder socket tearing. It’s often described as a “catching” feeling in the shoulder since the labrum becomes loose, making the joint unstable.
- Rotator Cuff Injuries
Four muscles make up the rotator cuff, which coordinates the shoulder’s movement. Constant overhead throwing causes the rotator cuff muscles to compress when passing through the shoulder joint, which gradually leads to pain. This nagging pain develops into tendonitis over time, requiring rest anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. When more than one muscle in the rotator cuff tears, the athlete will feel a sudden pain that radiates down the arm.
- Thrower’s Elbow
A “thrower’s elbow” or “golfer’s elbow” is also known as medial epicondylitis. The pain is gradual and occurs inside the elbow due to overuse. Sometimes it develops because pitchers throw too hard or with incorrect technique.
Conservative Treatment Options
- Use a support or splint to stabilize the impacted area.
- Take a rest period from playing or practicing.
- Use ice to reduce acute injuries.
- Use an elastic bandage to apply compression immediately after an injury.
- Elevate the impacted area to decrease swelling and possibly pain.
Although these are common injuries, some can become serious issues. Any athlete should participate in proper training and techniques to avoid these injuries. However, if you should suffer from any of these common baseball injuries, Tieperman Health and Wellness Center in Frisco can help you! We have many treatment options and experts who can help figure out the right treatment plan for you. Visit us on Facebook or give us a call and set up a visit in Frisco, TX today! We will have you back doing the activities you love in no time!.