Boulder Personal Trainer
With the increasing participation and the competition levels of today's youth sports - more pediatric and adolescent patients are being evaluated and treated for a variety of elbow injuries. Each year over two million children participate in Little League activities. Previous surveys have shown elbow pain occurs in up to 20% of all little league throwers and a more recent study found a 26% frequency of elbow pain in 9-12 year-old baseball players. Boulder Personal Trainer - Ross Meyer see's a better approach to preventing this type of injury. Along with pain, throwers often complain of decreased ability to throw as hard or as far in comparison to pre-injury levels. They may have pain with batting and even daily activities outside of sports. Swelling and loss of elbow motion may occur.
This is an overuse injury to one of the growth plates on the inside of the elbow. While it is most frequently seen in baseball pitchers and throwers it can also occur in softball, tennis, golf or any other sport that puts significant stress on the elbow.
Another common injury in young throwers is osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) which is the leading cause of permanent elbow disability in adolescent athletes. OCD produces a gradual onset of pain usually on the outer aspect of the elbow, which is often worse during the cocking and early acceleration phase of throwing. In children, prolonged rest (> 6 months) sometimes allows healing of the damaged bone.
As throwers reach their late teens and their growth plates close they are at higher risk of suffering from tendonitis and ligament injuries.These injuries can often be treated with rest and rehabilitation. Sometimes, as with certain tears of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), surgery may be necessary which can keep an athlete out of throwing for up to a year. Modify exercise routines such as in the way that Ross Meyer Personal re-training suggests can help prevent the accumulation of muscular imbalances leading to this outcome.
Acute fractures and dislocations within the elbow joint are seen less commonly and considered orthopedic emergencies. Swelling and disruption of the elbow structures can damage one or more of the major nerves in the elbow joint which control the hand, forearm, and wrist.
The key treatment of most elbow injuries is prevention. This responsibility is widespread, involving the team physician, coach, athletic trainer, officials and parents - retraining a child's incorrect structure and muscular imbalances is of paramount importance. The main culprit of pediatric elbow injuries is simply allowing children to throw too much and particularly those who have not been retrained for proper form. Complete pitch count guidelines should take into account the age of the thrower and include limits on the number of pitches that should be made during each game as well as the maximum number of pitches that should be thrown in a week, during the entire season and even throughout the year.
Because their growth plates (apophyses) are weaker than the muscles that attach to them, this type of injury occurs in young athletes. The stress placed on the growth plates from repetitive throwing can cause them to become inflamed and produce pain and swelling. , if the child continues to throw through pain the growth plate may even begin to separate from the rest of the bone. How do you apply ice? Crushed ice in a plastic bag is usually best, although blocks of ice, commercial cold packs and bags of frozen peas all do fine. In a pinch, even cold water from the tap is better than nothing at all. When using ice, be careful not to apply it directly to the skin. This can cause "ice burns" and skin damage. Wrap in the ice in a damp towel generally provides the best protection for the skin.
Here are some figures to use as a rough guide. The most common recommendation is to apply ice for 20 minutes every two hours for the first 48 to 72 hours. Be aware that children and elderly people have a lower tolerance to ice and cold. Remember to keep these things in mind when treating yourself or someone else with ice. Use your own judgment when applying ice. The individual should make the decision as to how long the ice should be applied.
C (Compression): compression actually achieves two things. It helps to reduce both the bleeding and swelling around the injured area, and secondly, it provides support for the injury. Use a wide, firm, elastic compression bandage to cover the entire area.
E (Elevation): simply raise the injured area above the level of the heart at all possible times. This will further help to reduce the bleeding and swelling.
R (Referral): if the injury is severe enough, it is important that you consult a professional physical therapist or qualified sports doctor for an accurate diagnosis. He or she will be able to tell you the full extent of the injury. Whenever the ricer regime has been used immediately after the occurrence of an injury, it has been shown to significantly reduce recovery time. R.I.C.E.R forms the first, and perhaps most important, stage of injury rehabilitation, providing the early base for the complete recovery of an injury.
Remember, don't stretch the injured area in the initial stages of the recovery process. Stick with the RICER regime for at least the first 48 to 72 hours.
This is an overuse injury to one of the growth plates on the inside of the elbow. While it is most frequently seen in baseball pitchers and throwers it can also occur in softball, tennis, golf or any other sport that puts significant stress on the elbow.
Another common injury in young throwers is osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) which is the leading cause of permanent elbow disability in adolescent athletes. OCD produces a gradual onset of pain usually on the outer aspect of the elbow, which is often worse during the cocking and early acceleration phase of throwing. In children, prolonged rest (> 6 months) sometimes allows healing of the damaged bone.
As throwers reach their late teens and their growth plates close they are at higher risk of suffering from tendonitis and ligament injuries.These injuries can often be treated with rest and rehabilitation. Sometimes, as with certain tears of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), surgery may be necessary which can keep an athlete out of throwing for up to a year. Modify exercise routines such as in the way that Ross Meyer Personal re-training suggests can help prevent the accumulation of muscular imbalances leading to this outcome.
Acute fractures and dislocations within the elbow joint are seen less commonly and considered orthopedic emergencies. Swelling and disruption of the elbow structures can damage one or more of the major nerves in the elbow joint which control the hand, forearm, and wrist.
The key treatment of most elbow injuries is prevention. This responsibility is widespread, involving the team physician, coach, athletic trainer, officials and parents - retraining a child's incorrect structure and muscular imbalances is of paramount importance. The main culprit of pediatric elbow injuries is simply allowing children to throw too much and particularly those who have not been retrained for proper form. Complete pitch count guidelines should take into account the age of the thrower and include limits on the number of pitches that should be made during each game as well as the maximum number of pitches that should be thrown in a week, during the entire season and even throughout the year.
Because their growth plates (apophyses) are weaker than the muscles that attach to them, this type of injury occurs in young athletes. The stress placed on the growth plates from repetitive throwing can cause them to become inflamed and produce pain and swelling. , if the child continues to throw through pain the growth plate may even begin to separate from the rest of the bone. How do you apply ice? Crushed ice in a plastic bag is usually best, although blocks of ice, commercial cold packs and bags of frozen peas all do fine. In a pinch, even cold water from the tap is better than nothing at all. When using ice, be careful not to apply it directly to the skin. This can cause "ice burns" and skin damage. Wrap in the ice in a damp towel generally provides the best protection for the skin.
Here are some figures to use as a rough guide. The most common recommendation is to apply ice for 20 minutes every two hours for the first 48 to 72 hours. Be aware that children and elderly people have a lower tolerance to ice and cold. Remember to keep these things in mind when treating yourself or someone else with ice. Use your own judgment when applying ice. The individual should make the decision as to how long the ice should be applied.
C (Compression): compression actually achieves two things. It helps to reduce both the bleeding and swelling around the injured area, and secondly, it provides support for the injury. Use a wide, firm, elastic compression bandage to cover the entire area.
E (Elevation): simply raise the injured area above the level of the heart at all possible times. This will further help to reduce the bleeding and swelling.
R (Referral): if the injury is severe enough, it is important that you consult a professional physical therapist or qualified sports doctor for an accurate diagnosis. He or she will be able to tell you the full extent of the injury. Whenever the ricer regime has been used immediately after the occurrence of an injury, it has been shown to significantly reduce recovery time. R.I.C.E.R forms the first, and perhaps most important, stage of injury rehabilitation, providing the early base for the complete recovery of an injury.
Remember, don't stretch the injured area in the initial stages of the recovery process. Stick with the RICER regime for at least the first 48 to 72 hours.