Little League Shoulder
Growth plate injury in young pitchers.
This is an overuse injury of the humeral growth plate in young athletes, usually 11-16 years old, causing shoulder pain while throwing. It results from repetitive microtrauma during throwing, such as baseball or handball, leading to widening of the growth plate. It requires a break from throwing and physical therapy.
Symptoms
- Pain while throwing
- Loss of velocity
- Pain at top of arm
- Young athlete
Conservative treatment
- COMPLETE REST from throwing (3 months)
- Core strengthening
- Mechanics retraining
- Pitch counts
When is surgery needed?
Surgery is almost never indicated unless deformity occurs.