Baseball fans across the America have been waiting for months and it’s finally here. Opening Day. Brought together by the love of the game, fans are reunited by the hope and possibilities for the season to come.
However, as MLB teams strive for success, one injury could quickly take a player out of rotation for an entire season. The same goes for little league and high school players. It is important to be aware of these common baseball injuries so you know what to look for and how to get the best treatment.
Rotator Cuff Tear
According to orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Michael Gleiber, rotator cuff injuries are especially prominent in pitchers. The rotator cuff is the location of four major overlapping tendons in the upper arm and shoulder. Excessive use of these muscles can cause them to wear down and tear if not rested properly. Once the tendons tear, there is pain with nearly any kind of arm movement. Depending of the severity of the tear, they may heal on their own with rest and time, but many require surgery to repair the tendons enough to function at full capacity again.
UCL Injury
You may have heard of athlete suffering from an ACL knee injury, but the UCL is also a common injury of the elbow. The ulnar lateral ligament stabilizes the elbow joint and prevents it from moving sideways. These injuries typically happen over time from repeated use and motion. Surgery is most likely needed to correct the elbow instability.
ACL or MCL
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL) work together to stabilize the knee joint. Unlike the UCL, these knee injuries tend to happen suddenly and are often accompanied by a popping sound or snapping sensation. These often occur while running or sliding into bases. Again, depending on the severity these injuries heal with rest or are treated with surgery.
Spondylolysis
While baseball often causes muscle or ligament injuries, many forget that your back is also used for pitching, swinging, and sliding. Spondylolysis happens when a vertebra is fractured. Pressure on the lower back often causes vertebra to rub together and cause tension and pain. Over time, players often develop this condition which restricts their back motion. A series of physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications often treat spondylolysis, but spinal fusion surgery could be required to further stabilize the spine.
MLB players have the luxury of access to professional trainers and sports medicine doctors that take all of the measures to prevent such injuries. Make sure you or your players are doing the same by properly stretching, resting, and icing before or after playing. PLAY BALL!