From the Guidelines
Common baseball injuries in children include Little League elbow (medial epicondyle apophysitis), shoulder injuries from throwing, fractures from being hit by balls, concussions from collisions, and sprains or strains from sliding and running. These injuries are often a result of overuse and repetitive motions, as highlighted in a study on sports specialization and intensive training in young athletes 1.
Key Injuries and Prevention Strategies
- Little League elbow is particularly prevalent, caused by repetitive throwing motions that stress the growth plate on the inner elbow.
- Prevention strategies include proper warm-up, limiting pitch counts, teaching proper throwing mechanics, ensuring adequate rest between games, and using appropriate protective equipment like batting helmets and catchers' gear.
- The risk of injury is multifactorial, including training volume, competitive level, and pubertal maturation stage, as noted in the study on sports specialization 1.
Treatment and Management
- Treatment typically involves rest from throwing for 4-6 weeks, ice application for 15-20 minutes several times daily, and over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed.
- It is essential to prioritize proper technique and avoid overuse to prevent long-term damage, as children's growing bones and growth plates are more vulnerable to stress than adult bones.
- A study on the management of dental trauma in a primary care setting 1 although not directly related to the question of common baseball injuries, highlights the importance of considering all potential risks, including oral facial injury, during sporting activities.
From the Research
Common Sports Injuries in Children Related to Baseball
- Contusions, dislocations, and fractures are the most commonly seen acute shoulder and elbow injuries in baseball athletes 2
- Arm injuries, including shoulder and elbow overuse problems, are common in young baseball players, with an overall injury incidence of 25.6/100 athletes 3
- Throwing arm shoulder and elbow injuries are the most common types of injuries in young baseball players, leading to both short and long-term consequences 4
Risk Factors for Injuries
- Decreased range of motion (ROM) and muscle flexibility are risk factors for baseball-related throwing injuries in elementary school baseball players 5
- Pitch velocity, fewer days between outings, and overall workload are risk factors for ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries in baseball players 6
- Grade, finger-to-floor distance, internal rotation angle of the dominant side shoulder, and internal rotation angle of the nondominant side hip are significantly associated with the occurrence of throwing injuries in young baseball players 5
Types of Injuries
- Shoulder injuries, including dislocations and fractures, are common in baseball players 2
- Elbow injuries, including UCL injuries, are common in baseball players, especially adolescent baseball pitchers 3, 6
- UCL injuries can be classified as low- to medium-grade partial tears or complete tears, with different treatment options depending on the type of tear 6