From Little Leaguer To All-Star: Staying Off The DL

Main Category: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 03 Jul 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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As spectators or players, America's sports fanatics love ballgames at every age, from kids learning the basics at their first tee-ball game to top athletes playing in the All-Star game. Baseball is a game that can be played throughout our lives if injuries don't leave us on the sidelines.

"Every ball player I know wants to spend as much time as possible out on the field," SLUCare sports medicine orthopaedic surgeon Scott Kaar, M.D. "The best way to do that is to stay in shape both before and during the season to prepare your body and arm for the repetitive stresses of the game."

Kaar -- whose experience includes providing orthopaedic care to the Cleveland Indians professional team -- offers advice for ballplayers of every age to stay in the game and off the DL.

Tee-ball

Tee-ball is all about learning the basics, and, with 5 and 6-year-olds, some accidents are inevitable. Often, these injuries are minor scrapes and bruises, with the occasional sprained ankle.

Staying in the game: While teaching kids the fundamentals how to run, bat and catch -- coaches should also teach youngsters how to avoid getting hurt. Rules like "no sliding headfirst into home base" are a good way to avoid a trip to the ER and stitches. Most tee-ball injuries can be treated with band-aids, ice and treats at the concession stand. For more serious injuries, like the unfortunate occurrence of a ball or bat to the head, have a doctor check them out.

Little League

About half of all 14-year old pitchers report elbow or shoulder pain during the season. With younger kids pitching more often and with more pitches per inning, little leaguer's elbow and shoulder have become all-too-common overuse injuries to the growth plates.

Staying in the game: The key to stopping shoulder pain? A period of rest from throwing will allow most injuries to heal. It's also important to regularly perform a core and shoulder stretching and strengthening program just like the pros do. This can prevent many of these injuries before they become a problem. Following pitch count guidelines is important, too. Little League Baseball recommends the following guidelines, depending on a little leaguer's age:

10-year olds: 75 throws a day

11 to 12-year olds: 85 throws a day

13 to 16-year olds: 95 throws a day

17 to18-year olds: 105 throws a day

In addition, many teens play in multiple leagues. It's important that players and parents communicate with coaches from different leagues so that an individual pitcher doesn't go over recommended pitch counts.

Softball

Sometimes the team spirit felt during an office softball game against the company's competition can make players push past their limits. For those who don't exercise regularly, jumping into the game with too much enthusiasm can lead to pulled muscles, tendinitis, and ligament sprains.

Staying in the game: Best advice for staying off the DL? Don't skip the warm up. If you haven't been active or you're coming back from an injury, don't do too much too soon, and don't let the thrill of competition cause you to go overboard. Also be sure to stay hydrated to avoid heat-related illness.

Pros

Finally, some advice for the pros - and the young hopefuls who aspire to join their ranks. The rigors of professional baseball mean players must weigh the risk of re-injury or making an injury worse against lost playing time. Baseball isn't a contact sport; while being hit by a pitch, sliding to home base or occasionally colliding can cause injury, more often players are plagued by overuse issues.

Staying in the game: From ligament tears to rotator cuff injuries, major leaguers face any number of overuse issues. One overuse trend doctors are seeing in professional athletes is increased bone build-up in the hip that, untreated, can lead to premature arthritis.

"I advise professional athletes to focus on core strengthening, keeping up general shoulder strength as well," said Kaar. "And don't underestimate taking a day off. It's a long season adequate rest is key."

Established in 1836, Saint Louis University School of Medicine has the distinction of awarding the first medical degree west of the Mississippi River. The school educates physicians and biomedical scientists, conducts medical research, and provides health care on a local, national and international level. Research at the school seeks new cures and treatments in five key areas: cancer, liver disease, heart/lung disease, aging and brain disease, and infectious disease.

Source: Saint Louis University Medical Center