My son is Class of 2014 LHP/OF. He suffered mild labrum strain / bursitis flare in early April, took cortisone shot and does regular strengthening with 5 lb. weight. He started throwing program a couple of weeks ago and is now playing OF. He started throwing bullpen last week and is pain free, but a little sore the day after. He feels like his velocity is very low during bullpen.
Any insight into how long it typically takes for pitcher to gain full strength after minor inflammation in shoulder?
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I noticed you didn't get any overwhelming response to your question. Probably because of the medically related issues.
Did you run these questions by your orthopedist? Is he doing any PT on the side to build himself up beyond the 5 lbs weights you mention? I'm not a Doctor (but the father of 3 pitchers), and I know shoulders are tricky and I wouldn't mess around
I found out yesterday that one of my son's high schools teammates has a full labrum tear, and I know college players that have never fully recovered from labrum issues. If it was me, I'd be talking & listening to a lot of guys with Dr in their names. Good luck, and I hope he is healthy soon.
Did they determine what caused the strain? Did he have an MRI? Shoulder instability (read up on it) can cause this issue and there are excercises that can strtenghten what may need strenghtening so there is no reacurrance. There are different types of instability, one of them being too loose, there are specific excercises which can be done to tighten the labrum, if this be the issue. And he should have had PT before the throwing porblem.
People think that shots are the cureall to the underlying issue and I think that doctors are sometimes too quick to give shots where the body should heal on it's own.
Every pitcher is different, and he is young, it may take a while to get up to speed, if it doesn't increase, there may be an underlying problem. Go slow and take it easy.
Would suggest getting recommendation from ASMI for a Dr in your area that specializes in area. You may have to travel a bit, but copay is same as your family DR.
My 2014 catcher had a labrum repair this summer. Played this high school season. Went ok. Had shoulder soreness to deal with and arm strength not all the way back. In any case, was a MRI done? The labrum is cartilage and I'm pretty sure that it can't be "strained" technically.
A cortisone shot only? No MRI? hmm... Find another doctor perhaps.
My college age son just had a labrum/rotator cuff scare - we got an Arthrogram MRI - they shoot dye into the location and take pictures from there. I'd recommend making sure you have one of those... It turns out he has a weakened interior rotator cuff muscle and is going thru PT now. He felt/heard a pop while pitching 1 month ago today which the doctor attributed to the "sound" of the labrum and shoulder socket "moving" (perhaps like cracking your knuckles, but on a pitch). He was extremely sore for 2-3 weeks, couldn't open doors, put on clothes, etc. Translate that into 3, 5, 10, etc. years down the road if you don't take care of the real problem... Not an area I'd take a chance on.
You are geting great advice here. Laburm is not to be taken lightly, especially for pitchers. My son suffered a labrum tear as a 10th grader and surgery/recovery took a good 6 months. Fully healed now. Get high-quality medical input.
My 2016 had pain as well. Saw an ortho gave us the rest and ibuprofen treatment. Didn't improve much. Thought MRI also although got a second opinion 1st. 2nd opinion confirmed, definitely not a tear. Continue as prescribed with added PT. Much improved.
Get a 2nd opinion always! Good luck!
You are geting great advice here. Laburm is not to be taken lightly, especially for pitchers. My son suffered a labrum tear as a 10th grader and surgery/recovery took a good 6 months. Fully healed now. Get high-quality medical input.
I'm wearing a sling today following a labrum repair. It is something that you can pitch over for a while (at the expense of velocity, usually) until it is too late. Does not always feel like an injury. Don't spin your wheels too long in rehab without getting an MRI picture of it. Find an orthopedist that can read an MRI for labral tears, too. My first diagnosis was wrong because the orthopedist flat-out botched the interpretation of the MRI; it cost me a year of wasted time.
