Understanding Little League Elbow: Causes, Prevention, and How Physical Therapy Can Help
As a sports physical therapist, one of the most common overuse injuries I see in young baseball players is Little League elbow. It’s a condition that can sideline young athletes during critical developmental years—but the good news is that it’s highly preventable and treatable with the right approach.
Whether you're a parent, coach, or young athlete, understanding this condition is key to keeping players healthy and in the game.
What Is Little League Elbow?
Little League elbow is an overuse injury that affects the growth plate on the inner side of the elbow (medial epicondyle). It's most often seen in pitchers, but it can affect any young player who throws frequently.
Causes include:
Repetitive throwing motions, especially pitching with poor mechanics.
Too many innings or pitches without adequate rest.
Lack of cross-training, resulting in poor shoulder and core strength.
Growth spurts, when bones grow faster than muscles can adapt.
If your child is experiencing elbow pain during or after throwing, decreased performance, or swelling near the elbow, it’s important to take it seriously and seek professional evaluation.
Prevention Starts with Smart Habits
Injury prevention in young athletes starts with a mix of education, technique, and proper workload management.
Here are a few key ways to reduce risk:
Follow Pitch Count Guidelines: Stick to pitch count limits set by organizations like Little League Baseball. These are designed to protect growing arms.
Warm-Up and Cool Down Properly: Dynamic warm-ups before games and static stretching afterward help keep muscles and joints healthy.
Avoid Year-Round Throwing: Kids should take at least 2-3 months off from throwing each year to allow the body to rest and recover.
Strengthen the Whole Body: A strong core, hips, and shoulders reduce strain on the elbow. Full-body strength training is critical.
Focus on Mechanics: Proper throwing mechanics can dramatically reduce stress on the elbow. Working with a coach or physical therapist trained in biomechanics can help correct flaws early.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
Physical therapy plays a critical role in both healing from and preventing Little League elbow.
Here’s how we approach it:
Individualized Evaluation: We assess throwing mechanics, joint mobility, strength, and posture to understand what’s contributing to the injury.
Manual Therapy & Modalities: Hands-on techniques can reduce pain and restore mobility, while modalities like ice, heat, and electrical stimulation support recovery.
Targeted Strengthening: We build strength in the rotator cuff, scapular stabilizers, core, and lower body—because throwing is a full-body motion, not just an arm movement.
Return-to-Throwing Protocols: A gradual return is essential. We guide athletes step-by-step to ensure they regain strength and mechanics safely.
Injury Education: We teach young athletes and parents about body awareness, early signs of overuse, and how to self-manage between sessions.
We Offer Personalized Throwing Programs
One of the most powerful tools we provide is our personalized throwing program. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all plan—it’s designed around your child’s age, position, mechanics, and current physical condition.
Whether your athlete is recovering from injury or just looking to get stronger and throw smarter, our custom programs can:
Improve velocity safely
Optimize mechanics
Build long-term durability
Reduce injury risk
It’s all about keeping them in the game—not just this season, but for years to come.
If your child is dealing with elbow pain or you want to take a proactive approach to injury prevention, we’re here to help. Schedule an evaluation today and let’s build a strong, healthy future—one pitch at a time.
