• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Maximize kids’ enjoyment of summer sports by preventing injuries

by Charles Crutchfield III MD
May 17, 2017
11
SHARES
220
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn
Dr. Charles E. Crutchfield, III

Sports are great for people of all ages, but it is important that safety takes a front seat, especially in kids with growing and developing bodies. While we have come to recognize the importance of protecting the brain from injurious concussions, we can’t ignore the rest of the body. In fact, in baseball-playing youth, arm injuries are at epidemic levels.

Why are kids hurting their arms?

Most arm injuries occur from pitching. Kids are pitching more. Instead of rotating through different sports throughout the year, many kids are playing the same sport (baseball) year-round.

Many kids are playing year-round as well as playing on multiple teams. Not only does this mean additional repetition in the arms of developing teens, but many coaches and even professional scouts report that teen pitchers are throwing much harder than ever. Many routinely throw in the mid-90 miles-per-hour, some even flirting with 100 mph!

Non-stop training and throwing harder can take a serious toll on arm health, especially for kids who pitch.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

What is the most common arm injury in teen pitchers?

Damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow of teen pitchers is at an epidemic level, much like the epidemic of concussions seen in football. Ligaments are fibrous tissue cords that connect bones and hold joints together. The ulnar collateral ligament is the fibrous band located on the inside of the elbow. With the non-stop, repetitive stress from pitching, this ligament becomes stressed, stretched, frayed and tears, leading to extreme pain and joint instability.

What are symptoms of ulnar collateral ligament damage?

  • pain in the inner elbow
  • swelling in the inner elbow
  • tingling in the inner elbow
  • numbness in the inner elbow
  • sudden, shock-like pain radiating from the inner elbow
  • extreme discomfort when throwing a baseball

How is this injury treated?

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The best treatment for mild to moderate cases of ulnar collateral ligament damage is rest. The best treatment for moderate to severe cases of ulnar collateral ligament damage is a surgical repair of the elbow joint.

The name of the repair is “Tommy John surgery.” In fact, almost 60 percent of all Tommy John surgeries are now conducted on teens ages 15-19.

What is Tommy John surgery?

Tommy John surgery, also known as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is to repair the damaged elbow joint. It was first performed by orthopedic surgeon Frank Jobe, M.D. in 1974 in an attempt to repair the damaged elbow of professional baseball pitcher Tommy John.

The procedure was extraordinarily successful and allowed Tommy John to complete a distinguished career. Specifically, the damaged ligament is replaced by a non-damaged ligament from the person’s own body (forearm, knee, hamstring, lower leg or foot), or from a donated ligament from a human cadaver.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The surgery is done as an outpatient, and most patients go home the same day. It is performed on athletes from all sports, but most commonly baseball. The recovery for most athletes is one year, but patients can start using the treated arm carefully and gently at about 16 weeks.

Many but not all athletes return to the same or even superior levels of play. Reportedly, many professional athletes undergo the procedure as a way to extend their career.

What is the best way to prevent ulnar collateral ligament damage in teens?

USA Baseball, Major League Baseball, and Little League Baseball have initiated the Pitch Smart program designed to decrease the risk of elbow injuries in adolescent pitchers. Controlling the amount of pitching is important. This can be done by limiting (pitch count) the number of pitches kids throw in a game and in a season.

It also means not pitching year-round or participating in multiple leagues and teams, and playing different positions. Also, kids should rotate sports. Strength training and having experienced coaches and trainers evaluate and instruct pitchers on proper mechanics to reduce elbow stress is essential.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The goal is for kids to enjoy sports in a protected and long-lasting manner. As a parent, it is extremely important to talk to coaches to make sure that your child’s participation and training, in any sport, is being managed according to safety guidelines to maximize both safety and enjoyment.

 

To review the pitching safety guidelines in detail, visit http://m.mlb.com/pitchsmart.

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a board certified dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He also has a private practice in Eagan, MN. He received his M.D. and Master’s Degree in Molecular Biology and Genomics from the Mayo Clinic. He has been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States by Black Enterprise magazine. Dr. Crutchfield was recognized by Minnesota Medicine as one of the 100 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders in Minnesota. He is the team dermatologist for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild and Lynx. Dr. Crutchfield is an active member of both the American and National Medical Associations.

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Legislature has gone a bus/train too far: Take a stand before it’s too late

Next Post

Researchers study health impacts of police brutality

Charles Crutchfield III MD

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School and a Benedict Distinguished Visiting Professor of biology at Carleton College. He also has a private practice, Crutchfield Dermatology in Eagan, MN. He received his MD and Master’s Degree in molecular biology and genomics from the Mayo Clinic. He has been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States by Black Enterprise magazine. Minnesota Medicine recognized Dr. Crutchfield as one of the 100 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders in Minnesota. Dr. Crutchfield specializes in skin-of-color and has been selected by physicians and nurses as one of the leading dermatologists in Minnesota for the past 18 years. He is the team dermatologist for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild and Lynx. Dr. Crutchfield is an active member of both the American and National Medical Associations and president of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians. He can be reached at CrutchfieldDermatology.com or by calling 651-209-3600.

You Might Also Like

Summer Guide: June 1-7 events
Arts & Culture

2023 Summer Guide: June 8-14

Outspoken public defender faces ‘star chamber’ reappointment (updated)
Local

The case for juvenile justice reform 

A Night With The River marks the end of annual all-night arts festival
Arts & Culture

A Night With The River marks the end of annual all-night arts festival

7 ways to celebrate Prince’s enduring legacy 
Arts & Culture

7 ways to celebrate Prince’s enduring legacy 

Congratulations! Kylee J. Jackman: Class of 2023-Bloomington Kennedy Senior High School
Announcements

Congratulations! Kylee J. Jackman: Class of 2023-Bloomington Kennedy Senior High School

Metro Transit looks to improve safety and conditions on light rail system
Local

Metro Transit looks to improve safety and conditions on light rail system

Next Post
Researchers study health impacts of police brutality

Researchers study health impacts of police brutality

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

The Latest News

Summer Guide: June 1-7 events

2023 Summer Guide: June 8-14

Outspoken public defender faces ‘star chamber’ reappointment (updated)

The case for juvenile justice reform 

A Night With The River marks the end of annual all-night arts festival

A Night With The River marks the end of annual all-night arts festival

7 ways to celebrate Prince’s enduring legacy 

7 ways to celebrate Prince’s enduring legacy 

Congratulations! Kylee J. Jackman: Class of 2023-Bloomington Kennedy Senior High School

Congratulations! Kylee J. Jackman: Class of 2023-Bloomington Kennedy Senior High School

Metro Transit looks to improve safety and conditions on light rail system

Metro Transit looks to improve safety and conditions on light rail system

Minneapolis
◉
77°
Fair
5:26 am8:56 pm CDT
ThuFriSatSunMon
82/59°F
86/64°F
79/57°F
73/54°F
79/61°F
Weather forecast Minneapolis, Minnesota ▸
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Apr 13
April 13 @ 7:30 pm-June 10 @ 9:00 pm Recurring

Wit by Margaret Edson

Apr 14
April 14 @ 9:00 am-August 12 @ 5:00 pm

Paper Is People: Decolonizing Global Paper Cultures

Jun 8
10:00 am-4:00 pm Recurring

Preserving Nature Photos by Walter Griffin: REFLECTIONS

Jun 8
2:00 pm-6:00 pm

Juneteenth Business Forum

View Calendar

Read our latest e-Edition!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...