Little League Elbow

Little League Elbow, also known as medial epicondyle apophysitis, is a term used for pain at the inner growth plate of the elbow in the young throwing athlete. It is often caused by excessive throwing and poor throwing technique in a young athlete. This is most commonly seen in adolescents that participate in throwing sports.  The repetitive motion of throwing, especially with poor technique, can cause stress on the inside part of the elbow leading to damage.  This is becoming a more frequent problem as children participate in year round leagues.

Diagnosis 

Most athletes start to notice increasing pain in the inner elbow, longer recovery time and decreased velocity with throwing.  A Sports Medicine physician can diagnose this problem by getting a detailed throwing history and a physical exam.  X-rays are often taken to look for more severe injuries.