Arm feels numb and tingles

I have not heard this from our two sons.  I would get it checked out by a doctor.  Not saying its a bad thing, but why take a risk?

RHP DAD posted:

Son has told me he felt this a couple of times during the last month of season. Twice in game once in bpen session. It's always been on 1 pitch, never on consecutive pitches. Dad sees it as big red flag. He say no other pain or symptoms. MPH hasn't changed.  Could it be from mechanics, trying to throw to hard( over throwing) , or some type of strain? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Sounds like a nerve issue, likely in the shoulder. Very difficult to diagnose & he will still be able to pitch until he "stretches it", then a loss of complete feeling in arm & bicep muscle function until it heals. Obviously a total guess on my part but I had an identical issue as a RHP & this is what happened to me. I would do some homework on nerve issues in the shoulder area as it relates to overhand throwing & get it checked out ASAP.

There is no pain in the shoulder, but there is neurovascular impingement that can cause the numbness in the lower arm.

Trust your instincts. Take him to a baseball ortho. Numbness and tingling usually is nerve related. Ulnar nerve for throwers. He might just need some exercises or PT, but there's no reason not to get it checked out.

Get it checked out ASAP.  You can never be too cautious.

Agree with Steve A...Get to a shoulder specialist! (James Andrews is the best in the nation, or John Conway in Ft Worth, imo) Ask about Thoracic Outlet Compression Syndrome, TOS.

Son experienced this plus cold & "bluing" of hand. Saw a vascular specialist in Dallas who altered his workout routine. 

This will give you a little bit of info. http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org...outlet_syndrome.html

Thanks all. My gut was to get to ortho. Dr.   Got to see family Dr. first to get referral. Always hoops to jump through. Was a little surprised to hear it might be shoulder. Could it be something else? He hasn't had any continuous pain. Just the arm zingers I mentioned before. 

Could it be something else? Sure, it could. He could be dealing with some impingement, he could be dealing with some nerve irritation. Somebody suggested the possibility of TOS, and that was my initial thought reading the title.

Depending on what "Northeast" means, may put a call in to Champion PT in the Boston area. Mike Reinold is one of the owners there, previously the Head AT and PT for the Red Sox. They run a pretty good outfit there... 

Another article, from Mayo Clinic will show you the construction of the muscular-nerve-vein structure in the shoulder area. If there is a "pinch" (constriction), the affect is irritation & travels thru the network thru arm to the hand...

I'd get it checked asap...agree with Bulldog for the PT part...But John's Hopkins (or comparable, depending on where you are located) will give you a correct diagnosis & treatment options...

Diffently getting it checked.  Been trying to read up on it. Also saw Ulnar neuritist? We are pretty close to  Phila. Thanks again.

Good! In any event, please keep us informed...And best wishes for your son. 

RHP DAD posted:

Diffently getting it checked.  Been trying to read up on it. Also saw Ulnar neuritist? We are pretty close to  Phila. Thanks again.

Neuritis is "inflammation of the nerve." 

When I saw this yesterday, my initial thought might be TOS as well,  but didn't want to comment without knowing others felt similar.

My brother and I are blessed (if you call that) to both had clots (DVT) relating to TOS and surgery to correct the issue. Both of my sons (including one playing baseball) have the condition in varying degrees.  Typically the left side will be worse than the right, numbing will start at bottom two fingers, arm falls asleep at night, arms feel heavy/dead if holding above shoulder height.  Those are a couple quick checks.  The area the nerve, artery and vein run through the rib is often impinged by the clavicle or extra cervical rib.  Baseball, swimming, and tennis athletes often see symptoms as all three are overhead repetitive motions.  Depending on which of the 3 (nerve, vein, artery) are most impacted, the symptoms may vary. 

It is something to get checked as Baseballmom mentioned if a doctor doesn't believe it's a nerve irritation.  There are simple therapy treatments for a minor case of TOS to more complicated surgeries if case is more severe.  Left undiagnosed, it can lead to DVT's later in life if on the severe side.  My brother's was at 20 and mine at 43...no fun when your arm is blue and you have an 18" blood clot.  Don't get alarmed as that's worse case scenario though.

If near Boston, Dr. Dean Donahue at Mass General... John Hopkins if closer to Baltimore.

Son had similar issues pitching.  Ended up being Ulnar nerve issue.  Had the Ulnar nerve surgery where they move it.  The tingling & numbness went away.  I know another local kid that had the same surgery.  Both were in college at the time.    

Hi Daveccpa.  How long was the recovery? Did they have same velocity after surgery?

RHP Dad the recovery time till throwing again was about 3 months but to be completely back to normal was almost a year.  My son went to Kyle Boddy at Driveline Baseball for his recovery drills and I think that helped a lot.  

The downside is both my son and this other one are now having shoulder pain a year and a half later.  Don't know the outcome yet as MRI was yesterday.  Not sure if there is any correlation between the elbow surgery and shoulder pain though.  I would say that even though its a pretty minor surgery its still surgery and if it can be avoided I would.  

Looking back my son says that he wouldn't have changed anything but as his parent I would.  I'd have shut him down from pitching every fall.  This is the first summer he hasn't played baseball since he was 5, now he's 20.  Of course even with the shoulder pain he wants to be playing.  

Good luck to you and your son.  Injuries are probably harder on the parents than the kids.

My son also had an ulnar nerve issue that was relocated. Had about a 12 week time frame for recovery before he started throwing the same way again. This occurred as a sophomore in college.  

Also in PA near Phila. Go to a Rothman Sports Med doc and recommend Optimum PT in West Chester--Phil Donley, Roger Collins.