safepitching4youth

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Resources for Developing Pitchers

Arm Injuries - Types

Johns Hopkins University

Shoulder

In order to understand the types of shoulder injuries athletes can experience, I think it's important to understand the anatomy of the shoulder first. Go to the shoulder anatomy page to see diagrams and videos of the shoulder's bones, ligaments and muscles.

Common Types of Shoulder Injuries
•	Posterior Capsular Tightness The posterior inferior glenohumeral ligament in the shoulder socket gets tight. This is ligament "A" is this diagram.
•	Little League Shoulder The growth plate on the upper end of the humerus bone pulls apart. It's basically like having shin splints in your shoulder.
•	Impingement Syndrome One of the rotator cuff tendons gets caught between the two bones of the shoulder joint (humerus and acromion) when raising the arm above the head.
•	Rotator Cuff Tear The four major muscles that stabilize the shoulder become irritated from overuse. If untreated, a hole or tear can develop.
•	Go to safethrow.com for a description of other shoulder injuries.

Elbow

As with shoulder injuries, elbow injuries can come in many forms. Go to the elbow anatomy page to see diagrams and videos of the elbow's bones, ligaments and muscles.

Common Types of Elbow Injuries
•	Little League Elbow Pain in the elbow caused by throwing too many pitches or throwing the wrong type of pitches (i.e., curveballs). The pain is caused by the ligament attached to the inner side of the elbow pulling the growth plates away from the bone. Typically occurs is young pitchers before puberty. The pain is
•	Medial Collateral Ligament Tear (Tommy John Injury) Tearing of the medial or ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow caused by overuse and poor mechanics.
•	Go to safethrow.com for a description of other elbow injuries.

Posterior Capsular Tightness - Little League Shoulder - Impingement Syndrome - Rotator Cuff
Little League Elbow - Tommy John Injury

A project of the Kansas City Youth Pitching Academy.