What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Injuries in Children’s Elbow due to Throwing
• Pediatric Elbow Injuries due to Throwing
• Throwing Injuries in the Elbow in Children

What is Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing? (Definition/Background Information)

• Worldwide, millions of children every year participate in sports that require repetitive throwing actions. With a continuing increase of children’s participation in today’s sports, more adolescents are being treated for many different types of elbow injuries
• Repetitive and overuse injuries are inflammatory conditions that can affect the muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, and growth plates. Since the growth plates in children are weaker than the surrounding ligaments and tendons, repetitive stress can lead to an injury of the growth plate and disrupt normal bone growth
• Overall, children who participate in sports such as baseball or cricket, which involves repetitive throwing motions, are more likely to develop injury to the elbows
• Two conditions that are responsible for Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing (repetitively) include:
  • Little leaguer's elbow: It is a inflammatory condition that involves the growth plate of the humerus, near the inner elbow at the medial epicondyle
  • Osteochondritis dissecans: It is a condition with a lesser incidence, but is caused by excessive throwing. It occurs when sections of bone start to separate from its surrounding regions, due to a lack of blood supply

Note: The elbow is a hinge joint comprising of 3 bones - the humerus, radius, and ulna.

• The treatment for Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing depends on the severity of the injury. The prognosis is usually excellent with appropriate treatment measures

Who gets Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Children of all ages, racial and ethnic groups, and both genders may develop a ‘throwing injury in the elbow’
• Boys are more likely to develop elbow injuries due to throwing, owing to the likelihood that generally male children play sports that require repetitive overhead throwing

What are the Risk Factors for Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing? (Predisposing Factors)

Common risk factors for Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing include:

• Participating in certain sports, such as baseball or cricket, which require repetitively throwing a baseball or cricket ball
• In general, children between the ages of 10 to 15 years are more susceptible to throwing injuries in the elbow due to flexibility of the bones
• Male children are more at risk due to a higher participation in sports that require such throwing actions

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing? (Etiology)

Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing may be caused by:

• The repetitive throwing of a baseball or a cricket ball, which is the primary cause of injuries to the elbow due to throwing
  • In baseball, there is a pitching action involved
  • In cricket, there is a bowling action involved
• Other sports that may less commonly lead to the condition in older children may include tennis (while serving the ball), volleyball (while spiking the ball), and javelin throwing
• Improper or poor throwing techniques

A throwing injury can cause damage and inflammation to the elbow joint and surrounding structures results in the signs and symptoms of the condition.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing?

The signs and symptoms of Children’s Elbow Injuries due to Throwing may include:

• Pain and tenderness in the affected elbow
• Reduced range of motion
• Inability to completely straighten the hand at the elbow
• Decreased speed and control when throwing a baseball or cricket ball

How is Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing Diagnosed?

Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing may be diagnosed using the following methods:

• Physical examination: A physician will perform a thorough physical examination of the elbow. A physician will examine the elbow for signs of ligament or bone damage. Children are also expected to provide information on how the injury occurred and when the pain occurs. In addition to this, a complete medical history can aid in arriving at a definitive diagnosis
• X-ray of the elbow: X-rays use radiation to produce images of the elbow. It can also help the physician rule out other possible causes of elbow discomfort, such as a fracture
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the elbow: An MRI is a more detailed scan that uses a magnetic field to produce images, which allows a physician to view any damage to the bones and soft tissue. This can help confirm the diagnosis

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing?

The complications of Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing may include:

• Prolonged and chronic elbow pain, if left untreated
• Recurrence of the injury
• Inability to straighten the elbow
• Growth plate fracture

How is Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing Treated?

The treatment for Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing may include both nonsurgical and surgical methods. However, surgery is rarely required for addressing the condition.

Nonsurgical treatments for Throwing Injuries in the Elbow in Children include:

• Any activity that aggravates the elbow condition further should be avoided. The physician may advise children to refrain from participating in any physical activities until the pain stops or symptoms get better
• Applying ice to the elbow can help reduce pain and swelling
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory oral medications, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can help reduce the pain and swelling in the elbow
• After the signs and symptoms have decreased, it is important to begin some light throwing motion exercises. Children are advised to slowly progress to throwing (pitching or bowling), as recommended by a physician or therapist

Depending on the child’s injury, surgery may be required to reattach the ligament and remove any bony fragments. Girls older than 12 years old and boys older than 14 years old are more likely to require surgery for an injured elbow caused by repetitive throwing action.

How can Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing be Prevented?

A few recommendations to help prevent Injuries in Children’s Elbow due to Throwing may include:

• Warm-up, before throwing a baseball or cricket ball. This can include light aerobic exercise, such as jogging
• Stretch the muscles, before and after exercising
• Children are advised to limit the amount of pitches they throw (by keeping track of pitch count) and not overwork their elbow
• Learn and practice using correct pitching techniques or bowling actions

What is the Prognosis of Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing usually get better when the activity level is reduced. However, the symptoms may recur if the child does not limit the activities that caused the pain and discomfort
• More severe cases of throwing injuries in elbow may require children to stop or greatly reduce the sports activities for around 3 to 4 months

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing:

Elbow Injuries in Children due to Throwing is described variously as ‘Youth Pitching Elbow’ and ‘Throwing Injuries in the Elbow in Children’.