Throwing injuries are usually caused by repetitive motions or overuse of the elbow. This means that people who play sports have an increased risk of developing these injuries, especially if their sport has no off-season and is played year-round. Children participating in youth sports are also at risk because their bones are still growing, so their growth plates are increasingly susceptible to damage.
Throwing injuries occur when the elbow is strained after repeating the same motion over and over again. People can develop this condition if they do not throw properly or use proper form throughout their throwing motion. When a person performs an overhand throw, ligaments and tendons stretch and create micro-tears. This can worsen over time if the person does not rest his or her arm. As the cartilage recedes, the bones may begin to rub together, causing pain. In some cases, bone spurs and fractures can form if the bones have rubbed together for a longer period of time.
Patients who have a throwing injury may experience pain on the medial epicondyle, the bony bump on the inside of the elbow. If the ulnar nerve is compressed or stretched due to the injury, patients may experience neuropathic pain that includes tingling, numbness, and weakness of the elbow, arm, and certain fingers of the hand. In some cases, patients may only feel pain while throwing or notice that they cannot throw as far, whereas some patients may feel pain more consistently.
In many cases, throwing injuries of the elbow can be treated with conservative measures like ice, rest, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. If the pain persists, a physician may prescribe medication to help ease discomfort or suggest the use of a sling to help the elbow heal. In some cases, the patient may be referred to a physical therapist to help restore flexibility, range of motion, and correct his or her position throughout the throwing motion. Interventional pain treatments like steroid injections may also help the patient feel more comfortable, especially when used in conjunction with other pain management techniques. In severe cases, a physician may recommend surgery to remove bony fragments or repair torn tissue that's causing pain.
