A high prevalence of persistent shoulder and elbow pain and poor arm function amongst former baseball players

Background: Traction apophysitis of medial epicondyle (MEC) lesions and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum are common elbow injuries in adolescent baseball players. However, the age-specific prevalence of these pathologies and their influence on elbow pain remain unknown. Purpose: To investigate the age-specific prevalence of each MEC lesion and capitellar OCD and to identify the incidence of elbow pain in each condition. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Study participants consisted of 4249 baseball players aged 6 to 17 years. A questionnaire was used to assess history of elbow pain, and morphological changes of the elbow joint were assessed using ultrasonography. Results: Regarding MEC lesions, fragmented (FG) and irregular (IR) lesions both reached their greatest respective prevalence at 11 to 12 years of age. After 14 years of age, IR decreased sharply, whereas FG was maintained at approximately 10%. Hypertrophic (HT) lesions increased sharply, reaching over 50% at 16 years of age, while there was a decrease in IR and FG lesions in the same age group. The prevalence of capitellar OCD remained the same (approximately 2%) throughout all ages except for in players aged 7 to 8 years (>7%). Players with MEC lesions had significantly greater prevalence of a history of elbow pain compared with those without (68.0% vs 39.1%) and were at a significantly greater risk for FG lesions (odds ratio [OR], 4.04; 95% CI, 3.16-5.22) compared with IR (OR, 3.22; 95% CI, 2.44-4.27) and HT lesions (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.75-2.36). Players with capitellar OCD also had a significantly greater risk of a history of elbow pain (OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.40-4.11). Conclusion: Controlling the amount of practice and its intensity according to the condition of each player in the preadolescent and adolescent periods may be important in accelerating bony healing and decreasing preventable elbow pain in adulthood.

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Effect of lumbar lordosis angle in adolescent baseball players on the development of lumbar spondylolysis v1

10.17504/protocols.io.b28iqhue ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yuki Onoda ◽

Takashi Kitagawa

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Lordosis ◽

Bony Union ◽

Exclusion Criteria ◽

Baseball Players ◽

Explanatory Variables ◽

Lumbar Spondylolysis ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Vertebral Arch ◽

Objective Variable ◽

Sports Activities

AbstractBackground: Lumbar spondylolysis is a stress fracture of the lumbar vertebral arch that occurs frequently in adolescents. Lumbar spondylolysis has a high prevalence in athletes, especially baseball players. When lumbar spondylolysis occurs, restriction of sports activities is inevitable until the bony union is achieved. Therefore, prevention of the onset of lumbar spondylolysis is necessary, and it is necessary to elucidate the risk factors that influence the onset of the disease. An increase in lumbar lordosis angle may influence the development of lumbar spondylolysis because the lumbar lordosis angle increases the compressive stress in the vertebral arch. However, there are no reports on the effect of lumbar lordosis angle and the development of lumbar spondylolysis in adolescent baseball players. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of lumbar lordosis angle on the development of lumbar spondylolysis in adolescent baseball players. METHODS: Eligible patients were those who visited the orthopedic clinic from January 1, 2018, to October 31, 2021. The selection criteria were male baseball players aged 11-18 years who visited the clinic, and the exclusion criteria were those whose superior endplate of L1 and superior endplate of S1 could not be identified in the MRI images. The existence of development of lumbar spondylolysis, lumbar lordosis angle, age, and pitching experience of the above patients will be assessed based on electronic medical records and imaging findings. Statistical analysis was performed using logistic regression analysis, with the objective variable being the existence of lumbar spondylolysis and the explanatory variables being the lumbar lordosis angle, age, and previous pitching experience.Discussion: This study examines the effect of the lumbar lordosis angle on the development of lumbar spondylolysis in adolescent baseball players. An increase in lumbar lordosis angle may influence the development of lumbar spondylolysis and may be a risk factor for the development of lumbar spondylolysis.

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Shoulder and elbow pain in junior high school baseball players: Results of a nationwide survey

Journal of Orthopaedic Science ◽

10.1016/j.jos.2018.12.018 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 708-714 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kenji Takagishi ◽

Tetsuya Matsuura ◽

Takashi Masatomi ◽

Etsuo Chosa ◽

Tsuyoshi Tajika ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

Junior High School ◽

Junior High ◽

Nationwide Survey ◽

Baseball Players ◽

Elbow Pain

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The Influence of Pitch Velocity on Medial Elbow Pain and Medial Epicondyle Abnormality Among Youth Baseball Players

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546520914911 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (7) ◽

pp. 1601-1607 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Daisuke Kurokawa ◽

Takayuki Muraki ◽

Hiroaki Ishikawa ◽

Kiyotsugu Shinagawa ◽

Hideaki Nagamoto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medial Epicondyle ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Baseball Players ◽

Elbow Pain ◽

The Past ◽

Youth Baseball ◽

Elbow Injuries ◽

Internal Rotation Angle ◽

Straight Leg Raise ◽

The Relationship

Background: Pitch velocity is associated with elbow injuries among skillful baseball players. However, the relationship between pitch velocity and throwing elbow injuries among youth players has not yet been clarified. Purpose: To investigate the influence of pitch velocity on medial elbow pain and medial epicondyle abnormality among youth baseball players. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The participants consisted of 256 elementary school players (mean age, 11 ± 1 years; range, 9-12 years). The medial aspect of the elbow was evaluated using ultrasound imaging. A questionnaire was used to investigate past or present pain in the elbow, background of the players (age, height, body mass index, and years of baseball experience), and playing environment (number of days of practice in a week, experience as a pitcher, and cryotherapy of the shoulder and elbow after practice). Positioning of the scapula, range of motion in shoulder internal/external rotations and hip internal rotation, angle of the straight-leg raise, and heel-to-buttock distance were measured. The pitch velocity was recorded using a pitch velocity radar gun. The relationship between these variables and the presence of medial epicondyle abnormality, as well as past or present elbow pain, were statistically analyzed. Results: A medial epicondyle abnormality was observed in 130 players (51%), elbow pain in the past in 65 players (25%), and elbow pain during the examination in 14 players (5%). Sixty-nine players (27%) experienced elbow pain either in the past or during examination. Abnormality of the medial epicondyle had a relationship with the pitch velocity (odds ratio [OR], 1.1 for increase of 1 km/h; 95% CI, 1.1-1.2; P < .0001) and the number of practice days in a week (OR, 1.8 for increase of the practice days; 95% CI, 1.4-2.5; P < .0001). Pitch velocity was also significantly related with past pain, present pain, and past and/or present pain of the elbow (OR [km/h], 1.1, 1.1, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0-1.1, 1.0-1.2, 1.1-1.2; P < .0001, P = .002, P < .0001, respectively). Conclusion: Pitch velocity was significantly associated with abnormality of the medial epicondyle and elbow pain. A 10-km/h increase in pitch velocity would increase the risk of medial epicondyle abnormality and medial elbow pain by 3 times.

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Elbow Injuries in Youth Baseball Players Without Prior Elbow Pain

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967113509948 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 1 (5) ◽

pp. 232596711350994 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Tetsuya Matsuura ◽

Naoto Suzue ◽

Shinji Kashiwaguchi ◽

Kokichi Arisawa ◽

Natsuo Yasui

Keyword(s):

Baseball Players ◽

Elbow Pain ◽

Youth Baseball ◽

Elbow Injuries

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Persistent joint pain and arm function in former baseball players

JSES International ◽

10.1016/j.jseint.2021.05.001 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Garrett S. Bullock ◽

Kristen F. Nicholson ◽

Brian R. Waterman ◽

Eric Niesen ◽

Paul Salamh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Joint Pain ◽

Baseball Players ◽

Arm Function

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Experience Rate of Elbow Pain and Morphological Abnormality of Humeral Medial Epicondyle among Youth Baseball Players

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967116s00121 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (7_suppl4) ◽

pp. 2325967116S0012

Author(s):

Yoshihiro Kotoura ◽

Toru Morihara ◽

Yoshikazu Kida ◽

Tsuyoshi Sukenari ◽

Ryuhei Furukawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medial Epicondyle ◽

Morphological Abnormality ◽

Baseball Players ◽

Elbow Pain ◽

Youth Baseball

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Risk Factors for Throwing-Related Shoulder and Elbow Pain in Adolescent Baseball Players: A Prospective Study of Physical and Developmental Factors

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/23259671211017129 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 232596712110171

Author(s):

Tsuyoshi Tajika ◽

Noboru Oya ◽

Takuro Kuboi ◽

Fumitaka Endo ◽

Tsuyoshi Ichinose ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Shoulder Pain ◽

Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽

Baseball Players ◽

Elbow Pain ◽

Pain Episode

Background: Throwing-related shoulder and elbow pain continues to be reported among adolescent baseball players. Few prospective studies have specifically examined the association between throwing-related shoulder and elbow pain and physical and developmental changes. Purpose: To evaluate the changes in physical and developmental characteristics during 1 year with respect to throwing-related shoulder and elbow pain in adolescent baseball players. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This 1-year prospective follow-up study investigated 164 baseball players aged 7 to 13 years. Player data (age, height, weight, field position, and pitch count), lower extremity muscle tightness, and range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder, elbow, and hip joints were assessed during the 2016 and 2017 preseason medical examinations. After the 2016 season, the participants completed questionnaires related to throwing-related shoulder and elbow pain, defined as an inability to play for ≥1 week because of elbow or shoulder difficulties. For study participants with and without throwing-related shoulder or elbow pain during the 2016 season, we conducted univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for throwing-related shoulder or elbow pain. Results: Overall, 21 players (12.8%) reported a shoulder pain episode, 56 players (34.1%) had an elbow pain episode, and 70 players (42.7%) reported having experienced shoulder and/or elbow pain during the 2016 season. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, (1) shoulder pain was associated with 2016 preseason height (odds ratio [OR], 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01-1.11; P = .01) and change in dominant-side elbow extension ROM from 2016 to 2017 (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02-1.24; P = .02); (2) elbow pain was associated with change in weight from 2016 to 2017 (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.04-1.41; P = .014); and (3) throwing-related shoulder and/or elbow pain was associated with greater 2016 preseason height (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.003-1.68; P = .03) and an increase in height from 2016 to 2017 (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.01-1.35; P = .03). Conclusion: Our results indicated that adolescent baseball players who were taller in the preseason and those with an increase in height over the 1-year study period faced significant risks for developing throwing-related shoulder and/or elbow pain.

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Regional Interdependence and the Role of the Lower Body in Elbow Injury in Baseball Players: A Systematic Review

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546520910138 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (14) ◽

pp. 3652-3660

Author(s):

Matthew Jordan Deal ◽

Bradley P. Richey ◽

Cyrus Anthony Pumilia ◽

Ibrahim Mamdouh Zeini ◽

Charles Wolf ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Lower Extremity ◽

Lower Extremity Injury ◽

Lower Body ◽

Extremity Injury ◽

Baseball Players ◽

Elbow Pain ◽

Elbow Injury

Background: Elbow injuries are exceedingly common in baseball players. Previous studies have identified that upper extremity strength and range of motion deficits pose a risk for these injuries, but few studies have examined the effect of lower extremity deficits. Given the role of the lower extremity in the kinetic chain of the baseball throwing motion, lower body deficits may affect the kinematics of the upper extremity and play a role in the elbow injury of baseball players. Purpose: To systematically review the current literature investigating the association of trunk and lower extremity deficits with elbow pain or injury in baseball players. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Meta-Analyses) guidelines to identify and analyze all previous studies focused on the association of elbow pain and/or injury with functional deficits of the trunk and lower extremities. Results: A total of 14 studies met inclusion criteria, examining a range of baseball players extending from youth to professional athletes. One of the 14 studies examined other types of overhead throwing athletes alongside baseball players. Lower extremity–related risk factors for elbow pain and injury in these athletes were found and stratified per level of play. Factors included specific hip range of motion, lower extremity injury or pain, balance, and foot arch posture. Associations were also found with lower extremity injury and noncompliance with primary prevention programs. Conclusion: Specific lower extremity deficits were found to be independent risk factors for elbow pain and injury in throwing athletes at certain levels of play. Additionally, prevention programs designed to correct deficits in identified risk factors were effective in reducing the incidence of elbow injury in youth athletes. These results highlight the potential of screening and subsequent intervention to reduce the incidence of elbow injury in certain subsets of baseball players.

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