Don't Throw Away A Promising Future

Young athletes are developing more overuse injuries largely because many are specializing in only one sport. Among the most prevalent of these injuries are sprained elbows that are putting young pitchers’ arms at risk. In many cases, the specific problem area is the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). This relatively small, half-inch-long ligament is closely linked with maintaining elbow stability when a person throws. When the ligament tears or becomes stretched, the pitcher will likely experience pain and lose the ability to throw. This injury is also fairly common among any athletes who throw or swing their arms, such as tennis players, javelin throwers, quarterbacks, and weightlifters. All should be careful not to strain their arms by over training/over playing. The best way for young athletes to avoid overuse injuries is to cross train.

An athlete’s recovery is quicker and more successful if the injury is addressed early. Our therapists at PERSONAL CARE PHYSICAL THERAPY have the expertise necessary to help athletes play their best throughout the season and prevent future injury. Call us at (928) 214-7430 to make an appointment or visit our facility at 1515 E. Cedar Ave.