THROWING INJURIES OF THE SHOULDER AND ELBOW
Tennis elbow affects a group of muscles and tendons in the forearm that attach to the bone on the outside of the elbow, causing pain For athletes whose sport involves the act of throwing, there are injuries they will encounter that other individuals simply will not. While the average individual outside of particular sports and activities will not experience this injury, our sports medicine specialists do have experience in both diagnosing and treating throwing injuries.
Athletes who repeatedly engage in an overhead throwing motion place a repetitive stress on the elbow and shoulder that can lead to many overuse injuries. As one structure in the
shoulder or elbow joints is weakened due to the repetitive stress of throwing, other structures must pick up the slack, and injuries result. Typical symptoms of a throwing injury include pain during and after throwing, loss of throwing velocity, numbness
and tingling, and loss of motion and strength.
Common injuries to the throwing elbow include:
- Ulnar Neuritis
- Ulnar Collateral Ligament Tears
- Flexor-Pronator Muscle Strain or Tendonitis
- Valgus Extension Overload Syndrome with Olecranon Osteophytes
- Medial Epicondyle Apophysitis or Avulsion
- Olecranon Stress Fractures
- Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum
- Loose Bodies
Common injuries to the throwing shoulder include:
- Labral Tears
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Rotator Cuff Tears
- Biceps Tendon Injuries
- Capsular Contractures
- Shoulder Blade (Scapula) Dyskinesis (Abnormal Movement) or True Winging
- Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit (GIRD)
Non-surgical treatments for throwing injuries include rest, activity modification, ice, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, corrective mechanics, and cortisone injections. Surgical treatments may also be recommended based on
the type of injury and the patient’s anatomy, age, and health.
We understand that getting sidelined due to a throwing injury can be frustrating, and we want to help our patients resume their active lifestyles as quickly as possible. Call us today at (843) 936-0715 to schedule an appointment for diagnosis and treatment of your throwing injury.