Save Your Pitcher's Arm This Spring with Simple Steps from HSS

Darien Daily Voice—April 5, 2016

In a recent article published by Darien Daily Voice, Samuel A. Taylor, MD, a sports medicine surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery, explains why pitchers experience arm and elbow injuries that lead to Tommy John surgery.

Dr. Taylor suggests that, "The injury risk becomes 3.5 times greater if a player pitches more than 100 innings in 12 months and grows five-fold if a pitcher throws for eight consecutive months." In addition, "Forced attempts to hit higher than normal velocity may result in poor throwing mechanics and fatigue which correlate with increased risk of UCL injury."

For young athletes, Dr. Taylor notes that, "Shoulder and elbow pain is not normal in the adolescent athlete. They should not take anti-inflammatory medications to push through the pain to play. Such symptoms should be taken seriously and prompt the need for further evaluation."

To read more, visit Darien.DailyVoice.com.