This time of year is an exciting but stressful period for baseball players around the country. Now that we are well into March, the pressure of securing a spot on your desired team will be high. As a result, you may be tempted to push yourself to the limits and ignore strains and pain, which is never a good idea.
It always makes sense to listen to your body and rest if you notice any niggling pain or aches. Continuing to play through the pain will end up causing more damage, leading to time spent on the sidelines. In this latest post, we take a look at some common spring training injuries and what you can do to avoid them.
Common Injuries
Here are a few of the most common injuries that can occur in baseball players and what you should do to prevent them. Hint: Don’t push yourself!
Muscle Strains
Muscle strains and sprains are usually the first things baseball players will suffer from during spring training. They can affect the arms, legs, and back and should never be ignored. If you notice any pain or discomfort, you should rest and apply ice. Your team doctor or physician will advise you on the best course of action so that you can heal up properly.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Rotator cuff injuries are widespread in pitchers and are the result of overuse. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles in the shoulder joint which enables flexibility and a range of motion. Obviously, pitching involves lots of repetitive movements, which can put a lot of pressure on the muscles and the tendons.
Over time, this can result in a lot of wear and tear. This can cause pain and stiffness, which is always a sign that you should take a rest. Failure to listen to your body may result in weakness in the joint and an increased risk of suffering a rotator cuff tear.
Shoulder Strains and Instability
Most pitchers will suffer from a “dead arm” at some point, but the good news is that if you rest up, there should be no need to take prolonged time off from the sport you love. This condition is the result of overuse of the joint, which can lead to instability and muscle fatigue. If you notice stiffness or observe that you don’t have as much flexibility as usual, speak with your doctor.
Elbow Injuries
It isn’t just the shoulder that gets placed under tremendous strain in baseball, as the elbow can also be affected by the repetitive and forceful movements involved in the game. If you overuse your throwing arm or use incorrect techniques, then you can be at higher risk of developing thrower’s elbow and UCL injuries.
These two common elbow injuries will always require a period of rest and may involve changing your technique. If you notice any pain or numbness in your lower arm or hand, you should discuss this with your physician, as conservative treatments can usually alleviate the symptoms quite quickly.
Simple Prevention Steps
It makes sense to put in the work before you hit the field. You must ensure that you spend proper time on your conditioning so that you are ready to hit the ground running. Follow these simple guidelines:
- Get out the weights to build up strength in the joints
- Build up your repetitions slowly
- Make sure you don’t forget to do some cardio work
- Always warm up before hitting the field
- Rest if you notice any aches or pains
Colorado Center for Orthopaedic Excellence 