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Little League Elbow

Little League elbow is a common, but painful injury that occurs in children and teenagers. Little League elbow is an overuse growth plate injury of the elbow. Most commonly it affects the group of muscles that flex the wrist and rotate the forearm palm down attach at the growth plate. This injury occurs when children and teenagers are involved in a sport or activity that requires repetitive throwing motions.

The growth plate in the elbow is vulnerable to injury because it is made up of growth cartilage, a soft substance that is not as strong as bone, muscle or tendon. With repetitive throwing, and not enough rest between throwing activities, the growth cartilage weakens, begins to develop very small cracks and may actually pull apart from the arm bone. The most prevalent symptom of Little League elbow is pain.

The pain may occur abruptly after one hard throw or it may gradually occur during the course of the season. There may also be swelling, redness, and warmth over the elbow.