Little Leaguer's shoulder

What is it?
This is damage from repeated throwing to the growth zone of the humerus, which is the ball of the ball and socket joint. The diagram, which can also be seen on the anatomy page, shows the ball and socket joint with the 2 bones connected by ligamnets. Right where those ligaments attach to the ball is where the growth zone is. At Safe Throw, the physicians can xray the shoulder and see if there is widening of this growth zone which would indicate that the athlete has little leaguer's shoulder.

What does it feel like?
Throwers with this condition have a general ache around the shoulder that becomes quite painful with throwing to the point they really can't throw much at all.

How is it treated?
Nonoperative treatment is almost always successful for this problem. It involves a long time off of hard throwing overhead, usually 2-3 months, so this is considered a season-ending problem. But, the shoulder can heal, and the player may return to full throwing in the next season. For example, if this occurred during the spring season, a player would likely be able to play in the fall season.

Operative treatment is essentilly never needed for this condition.

How long will I be out of throwing?
If nonoperative treatment is successful, about 4-5 months.
If surgery is required (very rare), a year.