If you’re the parent or coach of a high school athlete, you likely already know that the risk of wrist and elbow injury doesn’t end with the last football game of the season. With nearly 200,000 Alabama high school athletes participating in winter sports such as basketball, wrestling, bowling, and indoor track and field – nearly six times the number of high school football players – the potential for wrist and elbow injuries skyrocket.
“Hand, wrist and elbow injuries in athletes can typically be treated with prompt nonsurgical treatments—bracing, temporary activity modifications, and focused physical therapy,” according to Dr. Jonathon Whitehead, fellowship-trained hand and upper extremity surgeon at Southlake Orthopaedics. “But a prompt evaluation is crucial to a speedy recovery. If an individual ‘pushes through the pain’ and nonsurgical treatments are delayed, this can lead to more serious injuries that prolong recovery time, delay return to play, and necessitate surgery.”
Why Winter Training Matters
Repetitive throwing and upper-extremity stress affect Alabama high school athletes while participating in winter sports or during off-season training for other sports. Activities such as long-toss sessions for pitchers, basketball passing, and indoor track events such as shot put, javelin, and hammer toss can all provide potential risk for elbow and wrist pain and injuries.
Common Elbow Injuries from Throwing
The rate of elbow pain among athletes rises through adolescence, with high-school throwers in any sport reporting the highest incidence. Symptoms of potential elbow injury include inner-elbow pain, fatigue, and loss of throwing velocity or accuracy. The most common injuries include:
- Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) – A stretch or tear of this ligament is the most commonly injured ligament among throwers, often referred to as a “Tommy John” injury. This strong band of tissue on the pinky finger side of the elbow helps support the elbow joint.
- Medial Epicondyle Apophysitis – Repetitive throwing in growing athletes can stress the growth plate, causing an injury known as “Little Leaguer’s elbow,” a common cause of medial elbow pain.
- Valgus Extension Overload (VEO)– Also known as the pitcher’s arm, this injury can occur when the elbow is overused, causing bone spurs as well as pain, swelling, and possible numbness
Common Wrist and Hand Injuries
Hand and wrist injuries account for roughly one-quarter of all sports-related injuries among youth athletes. These injuries may impact grip, release, and overall performance and range from relatively simple wrist sprains to more complex injuries such as these:
- Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) Irritation – A common cause of pain on the side of the wrist closest to the pinky finger, this irritation may feature a clicking sensation when moving the wrist. The area around the wrist may become swollen and tender to touch, and bending the wrist toward the pinky may increase the pain.
- Distal Radius Injuries, including:
- Colles fractures, which occur when the hand is extended backward on the forearm, and
- Smith fractures, which occur when the hand is flexed forward under the forearm.
Both types can lead to deformity, swelling, and potential nerve damage. Treatment options vary and may include casting, pinning, or open surgery with plates and screws.
Prevention and Practical Advice
The key to avoiding wrist and elbow injuries during winter sports and off-season training is consistent, practical training, which should feature:
- Warmups and cool-downs as part of each workout
- Development of shoulder and core strength
- Limited throwing volume
- Rest months to avoid year-round throwing
- Following pitch count guidelines from sources such as Pitch Smart or Little League, which offer guidance for pitchers from ages 8 to 22
When to Visit Southlake Orthopaedics
When a young athlete, particularly one participating in competitive high school sports, experiences persistent pain, a significant change in throwing velocity or accuracy, numbness, swelling, or loses the ability to throw, it’s time to schedule an evaluation. At Southlake Orthopaedics, that means a thorough examination and imaging to determine possible nonoperative solutions as well as surgical options if necessary.
The board-certified physicians at Southlake Orthopaedics are trained in many orthopaedic sub-specialties, including elbow, foot and ankle, hand and wrist, hip, knee, shoulder, and spine care and treatment. Our team provides a wide range of orthopedic services, from diagnosis and testing to surgery and rehabilitation, as well as treatments and care including injections, hand therapy, and physical therapy.
Combining their range of expertise with the most advanced medical technology available, our orthopaedic doctors can help you experience relief from a variety of orthopedic conditions and injuries. Click here to schedule an evaluation with Southlake Orthopaedics today.
