APRIL NEWSLETTER
Spring is here: the weather is getting a little warmer, birds are chirping, and flowers are beginning to bloom. Soon we’ll be hearing the crack of the bat and the cheering of the crowds as baseball returns to our area. I grew up playing little league baseball for many years and have fond memories of the good times and the not-so-good-times. I couldn’t bat very well, but was an excellent fielder and pretty good pitcher (usually). Like most boys during their adolescent years, I wanted to have the best fast ball, the hardest slider, and the biggest rainbow curve, and I often dreamed of throwing no hitters and making it to the championships.

Little League Elbow Injuries: 
Is Your Child at Risk?

SYMPTOMS
~ ELBOW IS SORE TO THE TOUCH AND MAY EXPERIENCE SWELLING
~ SUDDEN ONSET OF PAIN & FEELS LIKE SOMETHING GIVING WAY IN THE ELBOW
~ PAIN MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH  THROWING OVERHAND, OR LOCKING OF THE ELBOW JOINT
PREVENTION
Prevention strategies include:
~ Always warm up before pitching with light aerobic exercise, such as jogging or jumping jacks.
~ Always stretch your muscles slowly and gently before pitching.
~ Always follow the pitching rules of your baseball league and do not play in two leagues at the same time.
~ Do not overpitch.
~ Learn and practice the mechanics of good pitching technique. 
~ Do not throw curve balls and sliders until high school when the growth plate in your elbow is fused with the bone.
DEFINITION
“Little League Elbow” is a throwing injury to the elbow commonly found among pre-teen and early teenagers that play baseball or softball competitively. Injury occurs when the repetitive throwing creates an excessively strong pull on elbow tendons and ligaments. This can tear ligament and tendon away from the bone. Sometimes small fragments of bone are pulled away as well. The elbow can also become compressed, causing bones to rub together. Young athletes are particularly prone to this type of injury because their bones are immature. A child should stop throwing at the first sign of elbow pain, restricted range of elbow motion, or locking of the elbow joint. Young pitchers are also advised against trying to throw a curve ball. The additional twisting motion used to make a pitch "break" is very hard on the immature elbow.
The age groups most affected are pre-high school players, anywhere from ages 10 to 15, with the peak incidence in the 12 to 14-year-old age group. Treatment and recovery depend on the severity of the injury. Recovery time typically ranges from 6 weeks to 3 months.