Bumps, Bruises, Strains and Fractures Archives

Arm pain when throwing

My son suffered a slight shoulder separation during football in late November. He only had pain when trying to use the motion to throw (not pitch) a baseball. He has been in physical therapy and religiously performs weights and shoulder excercises as indicated. He is also in a graduated throwing program and has been able to successfully throw the ball at all distances. When he tried recently tried to "snap" the ball quickly (as catchers do), he experienced a sharp, shooting pain up his arm. It did not last, but he did not try it again. What is most likely causing this, and what is a possible remedy?

Follow Ups:

• Re: Arm pain when throwing (Reinjury. Archive in bumps, bruises, strains and fractures.) Walt Stoll 08:07:40 1/18/01 (0)
• Re: Arm pain when throwing Dave 14:44:34 1/16/01 (0)

In Reply to: Arm pain when throwing posted by Concerned Mom on January 16, 2001 at 12:42:06:

Concerned Mom, I had a severe shoulder separation many years ago. Being a catcher also I know what he is feeling. Times have changed on exercises but what I did was about 5 times a day for 5 minutes I would swing my arm in totally windmill rotation to completely loose up all repairs that my body had made. It took about 6 months before I could snap a ball without lots of pain and 2 years before pain free. Being it was not a severe separation I would think he should respond sooner. Heat pads which I used to get started also should help. Good luck

In Reply to: Arm pain when throwing posted by Concerned Mom on January 16, 2001 at 12:42:06:

Hi, Concerned Mom.

Listen to Dave (Thanks, Dave!)

It sems to me that it is entirely too early for him to be trying to "snap" the ball. Unfortunately, from what you have said, he has reinjured himself by doing this too early and has to restart the clock. If his theraspist did not warn him about this, she did not do her job. If she did, and he just tried to push the envelope, he will pay the price.

One just cannot hurry the healing of this kind of injury.

Walt