Elbow pain

My son has a similar issue but may have been caused by a different issue than what your son is feeling. He doesn't pitch but at one time his throwing mechanics were flawed and he actually "pushed" the ball rather than throw it. This caused pain for him when throwing the ball with a lot of velocity. Turns out he had damaged the tendon that attaches the tricep muscle to the elbow. The tendon began to "splinter" and caused the same type of pain. Same scenario though - light throwing was fine but when he picked up velocity it started to shut his arm down. It's now all fixed (mechanics) but the doctor recommended ice and Aleve before we noticed the throwing flaw.

JMO but with pain an immediate shutdown should occur along with a trip to the doctor.
I remember as a sophmore going into junior year, son had pain about 3-4 inches above elbow, the next day a trip to the doc, tendinitious, which required an MRI to make sure it was nothing more serious, rest, PT and a throwing program to refine any mechanic issues. You should take care of it now BEFORE the season begins.
Whatever one does or does not do today can affect tomorrows future.

I agree with TPM and shutdown and see a reputable doctor. Don't just go to some family practice doc (unless you need a referral). I had a kid last season who needed TJ surgery and I truly feel we did everything by the book to help him out but he still needed it. With this type of injury it's not that last throw that gets him but the 1000's before that build up to the injury.

Hopefully it's nothing and a week off with ice will be the medicine but don't let this linger and become a problem later on. Get a doctor to clear him medically and then maybe get (if you aren't already) a good coach to look at his mechanics.

Pain is the body's way of telling you something is wrong.

Don't wait until he reaches a threshold he can't tolerate, by then it might be too late.
JMO.

Thank you guys.

All EXCELLENT advise!

My son went through the same symptoms, more than once! Tendonitis is quite painful. You see the MLB pitchers shutting down all the time when diagnosed with it so they can get some PT, rest, etc.

The 2nd time younggun went through it he learned (by a butt chewing) from the Physical Therapist that he MUST do the band work at home in order to heal completely. It worked.

One thing we did learn also was how scar tissue can also cause some pain and discomfort in the elbow also. We thought he had tendonitis again but it was the scar tissue that had built up over the course of time. We were happy to learn that it basically can be dealt with and removed with deep tissue massage.

Good luck with your son floridafan. I know it can be very frustrating especially at this time of year!

you rather be safe than sorry shut him down & take him to the doctors.... Find out what it is before the season starts....

My son is also a 17 YO high school junior (LHP) this year who just developed "pain" in his left elbow Saturday a week ago. That day, in a "umpires clinic", he had pitched to five batters with a GO/SO/SO/SO/FO throwing 15 pitches. Afterward our team went back to our field and scrimmaged again. I don't know how much he had thrown then but he said he stopped when it started hurting. I believe it was Monday morning he called me from school asking to go have it checked out by a doctor. As coach has requested, I told him to immediately report to the coach. Coach had trainer work with him M, Tu and W with bands and he only long tossed. Thursday at practice arm was feeling good but after about four pitches he said he had such a pain he went to his knees. Trainer made appt. next morning with ortho. and was diagnosed with "elbow strain" and sent him directly downstairs to begin therapy. He said that son's pain is where you want it to be in an elbow if you have to have pain. I can't describe exactly where except on top/back. Said it would take a couple of weeks to work it out. This really worried son and me because he had only ever experienced soreness with no pain. Goes to therapy today, Wed. and Fri and M, W next week and back to ortho. 3/2. This is going to be the longest two weeks. It was hard enough when he became "pitcher only" to realize if he didn't pitch he didn't play. But now with him benched a couple of weeks, at least, it is going to be tough with today being the opening day of our preseaon tournament. We are grateful, though, that it is nothing serious at this point. I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. I used to think it odd for all the other boys who complained of hurt arms and my son never did. Now he is right up there with them.

I'm thinking that he shouldn't have pitched again an hour or so later after having cooled down even through he only threw 15 pitches. Maybe he wasn't warmed up again properly.

Just goes to show "the Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away". God revealed to me that His plan for my son may not be the same as "my" plan and to have faith that His plan would endure. Boy it's hard to keep my hands out of the plan, but I'll try because I know He will remove them if I don't.

Have a great day.

My guy also had strained his tendon just above his elbow, although not nearly as bad as what you describe. My son origionaly hurt his arm trying to overthrow and "pop" the catchers glove. He hurt himself in December preparing for the PG Underclass. He was able to compete, but did not have his full velocity. His arm hurt more when throwing longtoss than from shorter distances. Just this past week he pitched in our first pre season game, albeit for just 2 innings. He pitched painfree and in fact now feels strong long tossing as well. So it was about 2 months of "taking care" of his arm and only throwing about 60-75% and he appears to be ready for the season.

Hope things work out well for your guy, mine is also a Junior in HS so we were concerned that he get some mound time to perhaps open opportunities for him at the next level.

Floridafan sounds like things are good to go with your son and that's great. Do you mind telling us exactly what the doctor said in his case and what he had him do?

jkkmom don't be afraid to get a second opinion on his elbow. Something I'm not sure if I follow in your post - did the trainer make an appointment with your ortho doctor or another one he / she may know?

The pitching an hour later wasn't the best thing in the world and I'm willing to bet it was a fairly cold day. He probably got cold and tight and his arm didn't respond well.

Make sure he sticks with the rehab plan all the way. Let us know how things are going.

We just worked with the trainer who was confident that he had tendonitis or a slight strain. We backed him down and rested him and kept him throwing at 60% for a week or two and graduated upwards from there to now. He has thrown a number of pens and 2 innings of a preseason game. Season for varsity begins tomorrow. Not sure if he will start tomorrow or not. He will be in the lineup though as he has been hitting well. Gametime about 19 hours away!

Coach2709:

Trainer is associated with local ortho group here in town and, fortunately, doctor is one of the best in town and a specialist in athletic injuries and is team doctor for several local athletic teams. At this point, I have no reason to doubt his diagnosis/prognosis. Again, fortunately, son has only been to an ortho once when he broke both bones in his left forearm at age 12. That ortho didn't even prescribe PT and had a lousy bedside manner. He was good, but not easy to talk to.

Son's elbow is already loosening up a lot and he feels he'll be ready to throw (not pitch) in a couple of days. I told him not until he sees doctor on 3/2/09. I don't think coach will let him either. Has four more PTs before doctor.

Son has taken 4+ yrs pitching lessons (from former pro who pitched in 3 world series for Oakland back in late 80s, who in turn took pitching lessons from a former catcher who was then a doctor of kenesis (sp?)) and I believe the mechanics he has learned is the reason for no prior arm pain. We had beautiful weather that day (mid-60s) and I think he was just tired, having taken the ACT that morning before the scrimmage, and he was lazy with his mechanics. Those temperatures are gone now and we're back to baseball weather with blankets, coats, gloves, etc. We got down to 29 degrees over night and I don't think it will get out of the 40s for a few days. I know that sounds warm to some of you.

I'll post an update when doctor releases and he's back in the game.

That sounds great to both of you. jkkmom while this guy sounds very good it's still not a bad idea for another opinion. Medicine is just as much an art as it is a science.

Best of luck to both of you on getting all the kinks out and having great and healthy seasons.

Hope that your sons have healthy seasons.

Son was released Monday by doctor. Started throwing to build his speed back up through the week. Still working with bands to strengthen rotator cuff. Probably won't be back on the mound for at least another week unless for a batter or two in relief over this weekend's games to see how he feels. Should be back in full swing for Gulf Shores spring break tournament beginning the 16th.

Wishing all a healthy season.

I have had the same problem, my coach took a closer look at me when pitching. I was not throwing my curveball over hand and snapping it down. I was kind of whiping it like a frisbe (which would get more of a side spin than like 12-6 rotation). It sent shock from my wrist down to my elbow.

I have also been experiencing some elbow pains. I am a freshman and last year my elbow was hurting me off and on too.I have good arm strength and I love throwing hard when my arm is feeling good. I often whip the ball back to the pitcher (I am a catcher). I am wandering if I might just be throwing the ball too hard, or something might be wrong in my mechanics. Is there any things I could think about when throwing that might help?

After rehab, release from dr., and throwing program, pain returned when son tried to pitch about five weeks after initial injury. I made son another appointment and requested MRI. Wish I had done this on first visit. Good news / bad news. No tendon or ligiment damage but stress fracture in left elbow. Will go back to therapy for 4-6 weeks to prevent atrophy from setting in. I understand they have exercises to not put stress on bone/elbow. Absolutely no throwing for at least four weeks. Had only been soft tossing up till now with the exception of trying to pitch that once and pulling himself after only two pitches to a batter. Didn't make playoffs this year so season ends today. Missed whole junior season, but there is still time for him. Will go back to dr. 4-6 weeks. We are considering skipping summer hs legion season and waiting to play for local JC high school fall league. He has never played in fall. That should give plenty of time for healing. Only have two or three one-day showcases planned in June. I'll let him listen to his doctor and his body after therapy and as summer gets closer.

quote:

Originally posted by floridafan:
My son is a Junior (17) and has begun to experience some pain while pitching behind his elbow as you move up the arm about 3 or 4 inches. Is this typically an muscle pain or a tendon type of inflamation. He has no range of motion issues and shuts down when the pain has begun, most recently after throwing about 50 pitches in a bullpen. He is taking aleve and iceing. Season begins in a few weeks. Should he continue a light throwing routine to stay loose or shut downto rest before the season begins. If pain persists or worsens we will see a doctor, but I don't believe that we have hit that threshold yet and hope we don't.

sounds like your son has been over doing it you cant go to fast with a kid at his age like he should throw one bullpen a week and then 2 days after he has thrown a bullpen lightly throw to stretch the arm out and do more elbow and forearm work outs to make your tendons and muscles stronger for less injury