Baseball is a sport that has its own share of injuries, particularly those who pitch during the game. Baseball pitchers perform continuous movement using their shoulders and elbows. This motion is carried out for up to nine innings. As a result, many pitchers end up with elbow pain.
The elbow pain that manifests is a result of an overuse injury called as medial epicondylitis or commonly known as pitcher’s elbow.
Close look on medial epicondylitis
Medial epicondylitis is characterized by radiating pain from the elbow down to the wrist. Take note that this pain occurs on the palm side of the forearm and due to damage to the tendons which are tissue cords responsible for connecting the bones and muscles. These tendons are required in the bending of the wrist towards the palm.
This injury is caused by excessive force used to bend the wrist in a forward manner including the movement when pitching during baseball. Remember that this condition can also be worsened if the individual has weak shoulders or wrist muscles.
What are the signs and symptoms?
The signs and symptoms of medial epicondylitis tend to vary from one individual to another. In most cases, the following symptoms are likely to occur:
- Pain that runs along the palm side of the forearm (most frequent symptom)
- Pain on the thumb side of the hand
- Pain can range from minor to severe and even run from the elbow up to the wrist
- The intensity of the pain increases when the individual is playing
- Pain is triggered when the individual squeezes a baseball in the palm of his/her hand
If any of these symptoms are present, it is best to consult a doctor for proper assessment of the condition.
Diagnosing medial epicondylitis
When diagnosing this condition, it is usually made with a physical examination. The individual is instructed to place his/her arm on a table with the palm facing the ceiling. The doctor will place a hand on the forearm to apply resistance. The individual is instructed to raise the hand by bending the wrist.
If the individual has medial epicondylitis, he/she will experience elbow pain. The doctor might also take a medical history. In case the doctor could not come up with a definitive diagnosis of pitcher’s elbow, imaging tests might be required for proper diagnosing of the condition.
Management
The treatment for medial epicondylitis is usually based on the overall health and age of the individual, medical history, physical condition and the severity of the condition. In addition, the suitable form of treatment also depends on the expected outcome.
For baseball players, they are more likely to have high expectations to be able to resume playing the sport. In most cases, the treatment includes adequate rest, application of ice, anti-inflammatory medications, strengthening exercises, bracing, steroid injections and even surgery in severe cases.