10U pitcher felt some pain in the elbow area

[The Football Ref]

My son played in a tournament in Virginia over the weekend. He's a lefty and threw about 60 pitches. No curve balls (can't say that about one of the kids from another team there). He threw all of last year a the 9U level and didn't feel any pain at all. Plays league Basketball, Neighborhood Street Hockey, etc .... so he is athletic and not a one sport 11 month per year Baseball player.

My thought is that the pain is because he is not getting his elbow high enough over his shoulder. I think he is getting his velocity from snapping his elbow a little at delivery. He will be going to the doctor later today just to confirm nothing is wrong. That is what insurance is for.

My question is, if he is snapping his elbow either level with or below the shoulder, can he cause any permanent damage ?

If that is what the problem is, obviously his motion has to be adjusted. But, can he throw the rest of the season if he can deal with the pain, and break everything down and start over in August ?

I can't think of anything else to put here for you guys to make educated statements. But I will answer any questions and appreciate any info.

[rkbenn]

My son played in a tournament in Virginia over the weekend. He's a lefty and threw about 60 pitches. No curve balls (can't say that about one of the kids from another team there). He threw all of last year a the 9U level and didn't feel any pain at all. Plays league Basketball, Neighborhood Street Hockey, etc .... so he is athletic and not a one sport 11 month per year Baseball player.

My thought is that the pain is because he is not getting his elbow high enough over his shoulder. I think he is getting his velocity from snapping his elbow a little at delivery. He will be going to the doctor later today just to confirm nothing is wrong. That is what insurance is for.

My question is, if he is snapping his elbow either level with or below the shoulder, can he cause any permanent damage ?

If that is what the problem is, obviously his motion has to be adjusted. But, can he throw the rest of the season if he can deal with the pain, and break everything down and start over in August ?

I can't think of anything else to put here for you guys to make educated statements. But I will answer any questions and appreciate any info.


PM Coach45 ASAP

[Jake Patterson]

PM Coach45 ASAP
I agree...

The only other advice I will offer is - over the years I have heard a countless number of dads brag about their athletic 10 year-old sons. For many, their emphasis on their son's athletic development came at a considerale cost.

PM Coach45 and send him a video.

Jake

[The Football Ref]

By no means was I bragging. I was letting everyone know he does not just throw a Baseball and only a Baseball 11 months a year, which IMO is not a good thing for a kids arm at all.

I thought giving that info would help some of you to know his other activities and that his arm is not being stressed in any other area.

[darivero]

Is the pain on the inside or the outside of the elbow....I have an 11 year old, that pitches....he just threw 60 pitches Sunday during a game.....has never had elbow pain except when he wanted to "strengthen" his arm muscles and started doing wrist curls with a 2 1/2 pound dumbbell, had lots of pain on the inside elbow....once he stopped the dumbbells the pain went away...we throw 3 times a week, very light and he pitches once a week.......David in Weston, FLA

[ballfan31]

my 9y/o complained of elbow pain last september. He's also athletic, but we made the mistake of letting him play travel ball at the same time as playing on a rec team. Looking back, we never should have done rec, he was the best pitcher and catcher, so he'd end up pitcing and catching in the same game, not a good idea. Then we found out he also played baseball at recess at school and would pitch to the other kids as well as at home with the neighbor kids. So to make a long story short, we took him to a pediatric orthopedic Dr. and she did xrays and found separation at his elbow growth plate. He had to take 6 weeks off, no throwing at all, not even a football. He had to go through physical therapy and he worked him back up to throwing. It was a combination of dropping his elbow and too much throwing. The physical therapist had him do daily stregthening exercises and worked with him on proper mechanics. He did a video of him at the end of his 6 weeks. He went back for a repeat xray and all is better, no permanent damage. We had him lay off throwing for more like 10 weeks. I have noticed he's slower than he was before, but it is now with proper mechanics and he's working back up, and in a few years, he'll still be able to throw when many around him will end up needing surgery. It was hard for him in the fall to not throw, he was allowed to play 1st base, and hit though, so at least he was still able to play, but in the long run, it was the best for him to not throw for that time, it's all been forgotten now as spring travel is in high gear. He doesn't even remember the games he had to sit out.

So get him to a Dr for xrays, and if he has separation, sit him out.

[1chapterahead]

I agree...

The only other advice I will offer is - over the years I have heard a countless number of dads brag about their athletic 10 year-old sons. For many, their emphasis on their son's athletic development came at a considerale cost.

PM Coach45 and send him a video.

JakeI agree with Jake on this. My 10yo son has been using the drills that Coach45 shared with us, and he's a different pitcher now. I actually start to laugh when I play catch with him now because I can't believe how live his ball is... I'm usually a hitting junkie, but this stuff has grabbed my attention.

[KevinOK]

Care to share?

"My 10yo son has been using the drills that Coach45 shared with us"

[gameth]

Get him to the Dr., one that knows elbows. Not a PCP who will say its just a sore muscle and write it off.

I didn't see you mention where the elbow pain is so can't really help with an idea of Dx.

One other thing, who told you that the elbow should be higher than the shoulder? That is a no-no unless we are trying to tear up the shoulder.

[Jake Patterson]

Care to share?

"My 10yo son has been using the drills that Coach45 shared with us"
Kevin, I have clips of drills that we used from C45 - It made a huge difference. I believe C45 has more updated clips than I and will defer to his clips. If he does not get back to you, as I know he has some things going on, let me know and I will send what I have.
give him a day or so.
Jake

[The Football Ref]

Thanks to everyone.

After seeing the PCP for a referal, we have an appointment tomorrow @ 2:30 with a specialist.

The pain is just above the secondary bone on the inner part of the elbow.

[Ursa Major]

I think that the advice given here by some of the most thoughtful members of the community here is very good. And I offer this additional advice knowing that it does NOT apply to the original poster, The Football Ref, because he got his kid right into the doctor.

But, it does amaze me sometimes that that other dads post her about their youngsters' arm woes and ask for advice when the first answer has to be -- 'Go to the freakin' doctor, idjut!' Many of us can give advice that is either anecdotal or out of a something they read on the internet, but it ain't medicine.

[ballfan31]

That's where my son's pain was, good luck at the Doctor. Make sure they do xrays and get him to a physical therapist. I researched around my area and found one that specialized in pitcher injuries. Best thing I did. After he did the 6 weeks of PT, he did a throwing program increasing distance each week. they also gave him a weekly pitch count and throwing count to stick to, which we now are very careful to keep an eye on. I think parents forget to watch how much kids throw and if they pitch 3 innings, then catch for 2 then play SS, that's alot of throws, not to mention all the warmups.

Good Luck

[The Football Ref]

Saw Dr. today. Good News. He said just inflamation in the growth plate area. 3 weeks of no throwing at all and 3 more weeks before pitching again. He did a thorough exam on the elbow, took an x-ray, and all things mechanical are OK.

He also said to be sure that his coach is watching his mechanics when he starts up again.

I must have misunderstood what my son said to me the other day. When the conversation came up again, he said when he threw the ball underhand back to the pitcher, it did not hurt.

As soon as he starts throwing again, I'll get some video up here.

If anything happens in 6 weeks, which I don't anticipate, I'll let you guys know.

Thank You.

[Jake Patterson]

Saw Dr. today. Good News. He said just inflamation in the growth plate area. 3 weeks of no throwing at all and 3 more weeks before pitching again. He did a thorough exam on the elbow, took an x-ray, and all things mechanical are OK.

He also said to be sure that his coach is watching his mechanics when he starts up again.

I must have misunderstood what my son said to me the other day. When the conversation came up again, he said when he threw the ball underhand back to the pitcher, it did not hurt.

As soon as he starts throwing again, I'll get some video up here.

If anything happens in 6 weeks, which I don't anticipate, I'll let you guys know.

Thank You.


Keep us posted!

[The Football Ref]

Well the boy finally got back on the mound this weekend.

I have no idea how to make those slow moving GIF's so if anyone can help me out I would appreciate it.

So Guru's of the cyber-baseball world, what is he doing wrong ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeNO6cabpT4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0vZafUjk6Q

[rkbenn]

Hard to see at this speed. One thing i did pickup, arm related. His throwing arm is going behind his back. This can create arm issues.

You need to stand him with his back against a wall and have him pitch out of the stretch. If he hits the wall with his arm/hand, that's no good. Have him repeat until he stops doing it.

His arm action is creating timing issues. Also have him pronate when he throws. Oh, ditch the windup at this age.

[AgentX]

He looks like he's leveraging his glove hand, too. He's got some serious tilt to that side, and since he's not tucking the glove, it's almost scraping the dirt.

Try to get him to bring his glove in to his chest and see if it doesn't level off his shoulders somewhat.

[rkbenn]

He looks like he's leveraging his glove hand, too. He's got some serious tilt to that side, and since he's not tucking the glove, it's almost scraping the dirt.

Try to get him to bring his glove in to his chest and see if it doesn't level off his shoulders somewhat.

He's coming over the top, hence the tilt. He should level out his shoulders. It will force a more 3/4 slot.

[DukeK]

I'll make some gifs when I get home. I'll just start a new thread with them instead of burying them here if that's ok. Or I can post them here in this thread. Let me know what you'd prefer.

[The Football Ref]

A new one is fine with me Duke. I appreciate the help.

I was just thinking that maybe everyone should know the history.

After you start it, I'll just add a post below.