Little League Shoulder Treatment
Young athletes have a body that is growing and maturing while they are enjoying their favorite sports. Bones especially continue to mature well into the teenage years, with areas of growth plates on most major bones. On the humerus or upper arm bone, there is a growth plate that can be aggravated by certain overarm sports like baseball, swimming and tennis. This type of shoulder condition is called “Little League shoulder” and it can cause damage to the maturing bone. At Jonathan L. Glashow, MD orthopedic surgery and sports injury center, we offer Little League shoulder treatment at our clinic in Miami, FL.
The motion of throwing or forcing the arm up and forward can put pressure on a growth plate on the upper arm in young athletes. Repetitive motions can cause the growth plate, an area of undeveloped bone, to become inflamed. This can cause painful symptoms, but more importantly, it can increase the risk of damage to the bone. Symptoms of Little League shoulder include:
- Pain in the shoulder when throwing or performing an overarm motion
- Lingering pain around the shoulder for days after performing
- Less strength when throwing – less velocity
- Decreased accuracy when throwing
- Tenderness around the upper arm and shoulder
Most young athletes that have this condition are adolescents or young teens between the ages of 11-16. If the growth plate continues to be inflamed and irritated, it can fracture and cause damage to the bone.
Pain Relief for Young Athletes
If you have a child that has shoulder pain and other symptoms of Little League shoulder, it is important to stop training and receive a medical evaluation. Our orthopedic team and sports medicine specialists can perform a thorough exam and determine whether your child has an injury to their upper arm and shoulder. Most cases of Little League shoulder can be treated with conservative, non-surgical therapies, including rest, anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy to rehabilitate the arm and shoulder.
To schedule an exam or evaluation of your child, contact us at Jonathan L. Glashow, MD orthopedic surgery and sports injury center. Call our clinic in the Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Palm Beach, FL, area to schedule an appointment.
