Elbow Injuries in Throwing Athletes

Understanding Elbow Injuries in Throwing Athletes

Throwing places tremendous stress on the inside of the elbow, where the ulnar collateral ligament and flexor muscles resist the arm bending outward, and on the back of the elbow, where the olecranon is driven into its socket as the arm straightens.

Common throwing injuries of the elbow include flexor-pronator tendinitis, ulnar collateral ligament injury, valgus extension overload (bone spurs and cartilage damage at the back of the elbow), olecranon stress fractures and ulnar neuritis, irritation of the nerve along the inner elbow. These injuries usually develop over time from repetitive throwing without enough rest.

Most throwing elbow problems improve with rest, physical therapy, attention to mechanics and conditioning, and a structured return-to-throwing program. Surgery may be needed for complete ligament tears, bone spurs and loose bodies that do not respond, stress fractures that do not heal, and persistent nerve symptoms.

Causes & Risk Factors

• High pitch counts and year-round throwing
• Poor mechanics and fatigue
• Inadequate rest between outings

Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of Throwing Elbow Injuries include:

• Pain on the inside or back of the elbow while throwing
• Loss of velocity, accuracy or endurance
• Locking or catching
• Numbness or tingling in the ring and small fingers
• Difficulty fully straightening the elbow

Treatment Options

Treatment for Throwing Elbow Injuries depends on the severity of your condition and may include:

• Rest from throwing and ice
• Physical therapy and mechanics evaluation
• A return-to-throwing program
• Arthroscopic removal of bone spurs and loose bodies
• UCL repair or reconstruction
• Fixation of stress fractures and ulnar nerve transposition when needed