Little League elbow

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Repetitive overhead throwing motions, like those in baseball, can lead to this medical condition.

Little League Elbow is a condition that is caused by repetitive throwing motions, especially in children who play sports that involve an overhead throwing motion. The name of the condition is derived from the game of baseball, as it is often seen in young pitchers who play in Little League. The repetitive throwing (pitching) motion causes a valgus stress to be placed on the elbow joint which causes damage to structures at the medial epicondyle of the humerus, particularly the growth plate at the medial epicondyle. As chronic damage occurs, the body is unable to keep up with tissue repair. This contrasts with the adult throwing athlete in whom an open growth plate is not present. In these athletes a more common injury is to the Ulnar Collateral Ligament of the elbow - an injury that often requires Tommy John Surgery for the athlete to resume high-level competitive throwing sports.

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