Thrower’s shoulder is a specific condition that affects athletes who throw a baseball or softball overhead.
Throwing a ball exerts tremendous force on the structures of the shoulder and, if the athlete lacks the appropriate range of motion, strength, or control, throwing can become painful. This can occur after one pitch or gradually over time.
Thrower’s shoulder is diagnosed through an interview and clinical exam. X-rays may be taken to rule out more serious pathology like fractures. Treatment includes taking a break from throwing and physical therapy.
Risk factors to look out for include pitching in more than eight months out of the calendar year, pitching and catching in the same season, playing with multiple travel and select teams, and throwing breaking balls at an early age.
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HOW DO YOU TEST FOR LITTLE LEAGUE SHOULDER?​
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Little League Shoulder or Thrower's Shoulder is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that your provider will ask a series of questions and perform a variety of tests to rule out anything more serious going on in the shoulder or surrounding tissues.
There is not one specific test, but the athlete will still be growing and will likely participate in some sort throwing or overhead activity (e.g. baseball, swimming, etc). An x-ray of the shoulder will show a widening of the growth center at the upper end of the upper arm bone (humerus).
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IS IT NORMAL FOR A CHILD TO HAVE SHOULDER PAIN?​
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Shoulder pain is unfortunately very common in overhead athletes, especially swimmers, volleyball players, and throwers. The repetitive nature of these sports, coupled with a long season, may predispose the athlete to suffer from either specific or generalized shoulder pain.
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WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF THROWER'S SHOULDER?​
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Thrower's Shoulder or Little League Shoulder will often cause pain to the front of the shoulder. The pain may start as a low intensity ache that happens after throwing that progressively worsens to pain with the throwing motion.
The thrower may be unable to continue because it hurts too badly. The throwers velocity, control, and endurance may be significantly affected.
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DOES LITTLE LEAGUE SHOULDER GO AWAY ON ITS OWN?​
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Little League Shoulder may get better on its own after the season stops or throwing ceases, but if left untreated, it may worsen again with the resumption of throwing activities.
Generally, a 4-6 week course of physical therapy tends to resolve these issues, as it can address the underlying strength, flexibility, and load management deficits.
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