Background
Little League shoulder is proximal humeral epiphysitis. It is a stress fracture of the growth plate of the humerus. It most often develops as an overuse injury in baseball pitchers age 11–16.
Mechanism of injury: Overuse injury that results from a throwing motion. It’s a fracture of the physeal plate (Salter-Harris type I).
Diagnosis
H&P:
Risk Factors:
Ddx and Etiology:
XR show widened physis compared to the other side.
Treatment
-Rest: Cessation of throwing for about 2-3 months, followed by a progressive throwing program.
-Strengthening of the rotator cuff when the patient achieves full range of motion without any pain.
Complications: 1) Physeal fracture. 2) Premature growth arrest.
In contrast to little league shoulder which is just one thing, Little League elbow is a complex of many possible injuries.