What to do and why they happen
Baseball is a slower sport than many others because of its long duration and slow pace.
Even though it is not a very hard-hitting game, the physical strain that baseball puts on the body can be quite significant.
Even though baseball is a low-intensity game, repetitive movements can cause annoying and even fatal overuse injuries.
An MLB pitcher throws 95 pitches per game or more, according to statistics. An official Little League pitch count is 75 pitches.
This is a lot of pitches in one year!
High-volume throwing and hitting, as well as base running, are all part of the job for position players. This results in a lot of repetition, game after game.
Even though it is slower, baseball can be hard on the body, both the upper and lower bodies.
Let’s look at the most common injuries that result from the overuse of baseball bats.
Rotator cuff tears
Rotator cuff tears can be a common problem in baseball, particularly for pitchers and players who do a lot of high-speed throwing.
The rotator wrist is made up of four muscles that help you rotate your arm and shoulder away from the body. Imagine a hinge. The cuff is located at the top of your shoulder.
Pitching over and over again, season after season can cause damage to the tendons. This can cause a decrease in shoulder movement and possibly even muscle tearing.
Physical therapy can help if the injury is diagnosed before it causes a tear. Surgery will be required if the muscle is severed.
UCL injuries
The ulnar collateral ligament is a ligament that runs inside the elbow. This ligament is the most common of all the elbow ligaments and it serves as a stabilizing one.
This little ligament is also known as the Tommy John ligament. It can take a lot of stress from all the things you throw at it. UCL injuries are a common problem among young athletes.
Inner elbow pain can be a sign that something is wrong. The athlete may feel a pins and needles sensation in their ring and pinky finger, which could impact their grip on the ball.
Most cases can usually be treated with physical therapy and rest.
Reconstructive surgery may be required for partial or complete tears in the UCL (Tommy John Surgery) as well as to pitch Tommy John’s name.
Labral tears
Another injury to the shoulder is this.
The labrum, a flexible rubbery tissue that holds the shoulder socket in place, is a sticky and elastic material. Imagine a gasket sealing the space between two items. It can also tear because it is soft tissue.
This type of tear in baseball can be caused by repetitive motion and overuse. This injury usually results in the shoulder joint becoming weaker or locking up.
A doctor will usually confirm a labral tear. It can be repaired surgically, or it can be helped by physical therapy.
Knee injuries
While knee injuries are less common in baseball than in other high-intensity activities like football and basketball, they can still happen.
These occur most often with base running. A player’s knee can give way due to sudden stopping, sliding, and quick pivots in the direction.
It is painful to sustain a strain or tear in the ligaments that support the knee.
An ACL tear is one of the most severe lower body injuries. This ligament is often injured with severe pain, popping or cracking sensations in the knee.
ACL injuries can be treated with physical therapy and rest, similar to UCL injuries. Surgery will most likely stop you from playing for several months if your ACL is torn.
Muscle strains and sprains
Muscle strains and sprains, like the other injuries in baseball, are serious.
These injuries can be found in the back, arms, and legs.
The severity of an injury and the player involved will determine the symptoms. However, the most common symptoms are:
- Pain
- Weakness
- Muscle spasms
These may include swelling and bruising.
These cases are rare and do not require surgery. Renew Concierge Physical Therapy and RICE (rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) are both effective.
A common theme in sports injuries is the importance of working with a physical therapist to aid with healing.
If necessary, physical therapy can be used to assist with pre- or post-surgical interventions.
Contact us if you are suffering from an injury. You can get back to your sport with personalized treatment and an exercise program from a licensed physical therapist.