First of all I would like to thank everyone for the great input. It’s amazing how much stress something of this nature can put on a young man. He knows coaches, players, and parents want him to play but is also aware of the long-term effects of playing injured.
Just to reiterate the issue in a more useable format and answer a couple previous questions, here’s the timeline of events:
1. 4 months ago and immediately following world series/end-of-season and starting football (he’s also a QB) experienced extreme pain in the top portion of the shoulder during the highest point (arm overhead) of his delivery. Could no longer handle any type of throwing/lifting. Could hear a grind in the joint.
2. Seen local orthopedist & had MRI. Was diagnosed with tendinitis of the rotator cuff and prescribed 6 weeks of therapy. No throwing/lifting.
3. Seen the PT. PT thought it sounded more like a torn labrum. Went through PT for the next 6 weeks. . Actually continued to take hitting lessons during this time with no pain. Again, not throwing/lifting during this period.
4. Returned to normal throwing activities after 6 weeks to include playing football and resuming pitching lessons. He had several lessons where he showed a marked increase in velocity from the season. Continued to strengthen shoulder with dumbbell and band workouts. He was very dedicated to this shoulder workout regime.
5. A month ago, started experiencing pain in the top portion of his shoulder joint. He has pinpointed the pain to be around the finish and at the point he begins to pronate. Not the same degree of pain but uncomfortable. Is hearing a popping in joint. He feels like his arm is allowed to extend forward too much during the finish.
6. Seen local orthopedist & had another MRI. MRI reported a partial thick tissue tear. Orthopedist had little faith in an MRI for tissue tears and even doubted it given my son’s history/age. Did not want to pursue surgery with a younger athlete. Prescribed PT again. Mentioned a mechanics adjustment. The only noticeable mechanical change that I noticed after the first injury was a slight drop in his arm slot. Went from high ¾ to low ¾.
7. After speaking to the PT, he still feels strongly about it being a tear. He said the PT will only help but it is “impossible to fix what is already broken.” He was ok with continuing to throw if the pain is within reason. Advised us to discontinue pitching/lifting at this time.
8. We are now scheduling a second opinion from an orthopedist that specializes in shoulder injuries at the Tallahassee Ortho Center.