Updated September 2016
EPIDEMIC
During the past few years there has been an “epidemic” rise in the number of professional pitchers requiring ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (“Tommy John surgery”).1 This is like déjà vu, as a similar sharp rise was seen in adolescent pitchers near the turn of the century.2,3 These two rises are indeed connected; that is, today’s pro pitcher in his 20’s was an adolescent pitcher a dozen years ago. Thus in many cases, the injury leading to Tommy John surgery in today’s young pro pitchers actually began while they were adolescent amateurs. Observations by orthopaedic surgeons support this link, as the torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in a pro pitcher usually looks like it has worn out over time.
RISK FACTORS FOR ADOLESCENT PITCHERS
Research has shown that the amount of competitive pitching and pitching while fatigued are strongly linked to injury.4,5,6 Other risk factors may include pitching on multiple teams,5 pitching year-round,6 playing catcher when not pitching,7 poor pitching mechanics,8,9 and poor physical conditioning.10,11 Recommendations for youth pitchers are shown on the ASMI Position Statement for Youth Pitchers.12
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT TOMMY JOHN SURGERY
“Pitchers should get Tommy John surgery as soon as possible, as they will be better and throw harder after the surgery.”
Even though a surprising 25% to 50% of amateur players, parents, and coaches believe this,13 it is not true. Indeed, MLB pitchers often show some improvement in performance upon return from Tommy John surgery.14 However such improvements for a professional or amateur pitcher are due to the surgeon fixing the problem followed by the pitcher working intensely with the physical therapist, athletic trainer, strength coach, and pitching coach. The time without pitching after surgery also helps the athlete’s body. Performance eventually decreases over time for MLB pitchers after Tommy John surgery (similar to the typical decrease over time for healthy MLB pitchers).14–16 It is also important to realize that 10% to 20% of pitchers never make it back to their previous level after Tommy John surgery.17,18 Furthermore, a recent study by MLB and ASMI showed no differences in pitching biomechanics between professional pitchers with a history of Tommy John surgery and professional pitchers with no history of injury.
“Too much pitching is a big reason for all of the Tommy John injuries these days.”
Exactly. When an orthopaedist performs surgery on a torn ulnar collateral ligament (“Tommy John” ligament), the surgeon will almost always see a ligament that has frayed over time from overuse and repetition. In previous generations, Major League pitchers grew up competitively pitching only a few months each year, but nowadays leagues and teams are available for adolescents to play competitive baseball almost all year. Research has shown a strong link between too much competitive pitching and arm injuries.4–7
“Throwing curveballs is a big risk factor for elbow injuries in young pitchers.”
While biomechanical research19–21 and epidemiologic research4,6,7,22 have not shown a strong connection between curveball and elbow injuries, a youth pitcher may not have enough physical maturity, neuromuscular control, and proper coaching instruction to throw a curveball with good mechanics. The first steps should be to learn, in order: 1) basic throwing, 2) fastball pitching, 3) change-up pitching.
“Lowering or eliminating the mound would reduce the stress on the elbow and reduce the number of UCL injuries.”
Current biomechanical studies disagree about whether elbow torque while throwing on flat ground is less, greater, or the same as when pitching on a mound.23–25 Regardless of mound height, the real solution is for young pitchers to do less full-effort pitching and more sub-maximal throwing (practice throws, playing other positions, playing other sports). To become a successful adult pitcher, the youth should not strive to be a “youth pitcher” but instead should be a young athlete that is a good pitcher.
“Baseball in Latin America must be doing something right, because the prevalence of Tommy John surgery is so low among professional pitchers from Latin America.”
Not true. A recent survey revealed no difference in the prevalence of Tommy John surgery between pitchers from the U.S. and pitchers from Latin America. The survey showed that 16% of U.S. born-pitchers and 16% of Latin American pitchers in professional baseball have a history of Tommy John surgery.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL PITCHERS AND TEAMS FOR REDUCING RISK OF TOMMY JOHN INJURY
- Optimize pitching mechanics to ensure using the whole body in a coordinated sequence (kinetic chain). A biomechanical analysis is recommended, as it provides objective data to the pitching coach, strength coach, and pitcher. A biomechanical analysis can also serve as a baseline for re-evaluation later in the pitcher’s career, after performance improvement or after return from injury.
- Vary speeds for each of your pitch types. This will not only reduce the overuse on the elbow, but also can be an effective strategy. The best professional pitchers pitch with a range of ball velocity, good ball movement, good control, and consistent mechanics among their pitches. The professional pitcher’s objectives are to prevent baserunners and runs, not to light up the radar gun.
- Open communication between a pitcher and his professional coaching and medical staff is paramount. The pitcher’s elbow and body are living tissue. Pitching and training create small tears in the tissue; rest, nutrition, and hydration repair the tears. A pitcher and his team should have a plan, but that plan needs to be monitored and sometimes adjusted depending on how the pitcher feels. Specifically, the pitcher should keep his trainer or coach up to date about any soreness, stiffness, and pain. That way when there is an issue, the player and team can consider rest, modified activity, or examination from the team physician to allow the elbow to heal and avert serious injury.
- The pitching coach needs to watch for signs of fatigue on the mound. This could be seen in-game as well as in bullpen sessions.
- The team trainers, coaches, medical staff, and front office must share knowledge in a holistic approach to minimize the risk of injury.
- Flat-ground throwing drills and bullpen sessions should not always be at maximum effort. Reduced effort will allow for physical fitness and technique without adding undue stress to the UCL.
- Take off at least two consecutive months each year from all throwing. During this “active rest” period, you can do other physical activities and exercises, as well as continue proper nutrition. The UCL and body need time to recover and build strength, so the concept of annual periodization should include adequate rest from pitching.
- Exercise, rest, and nutrition are vital for a pitcher’s health. Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) may enable the athlete to achieve disproportionately strong muscles that overwhelm the UCL and lead to injury.
- Pitchers with high ball velocity are at increased risk of injury. The higher the ball velocity, the more important to follow the guidelines above.
References:
- Disabled List Data. Baseb Heat Maps. Available at: http://www.baseballheatmaps.com/disabled-list-data/. Accessed June 18, 2014.
- ASMI. ASMI UCL Reconstructions. Available at: http://www.asmi.org/research.php?page=research§ion=UCL. Accessed June 18, 2014.
- Fleisig GS, Andrews JR. Prevention of elbow injuries in youth baseball pitchers. Sports Health. 2012;4(5):419-424.
- Yang J, Mann BJ, Guettler JH, et al. Risk-Prone Pitching Activities and Injuries in Youth Baseball: Findings From a National Sample. Am J Sports Med. 2014;42(6):1456-1463.
- Register-Mihalik JK, Oyama S, Marshall SW, Mueller FO. Pitching Practices and Self-Reported Injuries Among Youth Baseball Pitchers: A Descriptive Study. Athl Train Sport Heal Care. 2012;4(1):11-20.
- Olsen SJ, Fleisig GS, Dun S, Loftice J, Andrews JR. Risk factors for shoulder and elbow injuries in adolescent baseball pitchers. Am J Sports Med. 2006;34(6):905-912.
- Fleisig GS, Andrews JR, Cutter GR, et al. Risk of serious injury for young baseball pitchers: a 10-year prospective study. Am J Sports Med. 2011;39(2):253-257.
- Davis JT, Limpisvasti O, Fluhme D, et al. The effect of pitching biomechanics on the upper extremity in youth and adolescent baseball pitchers. Am J Sports Med. 2009;37(8):1484-1491.
- Fortenbaugh D, Fleisig GS, Andrews JR. Baseball pitching biomechanics in relation to injury risk and performance. Sports Health. 2009;1(4):314-320.
- Trakis JE, McHugh MP, Caracciolo P a, Busciacco L, Mullaney M, Nicholas SJ. Muscle strength and range of motion in adolescent pitchers with throwing-related pain: implications for injury prevention. Am J Sports Med. 2008;36(11):2173-2178.
- Tyler TF, Mullaney MJ, Mirabella MR, Nicholas SJ, McHugh MP. Risk Factors for Shoulder and Elbow Injuries in High School Baseball Pitchers: The Role of Preseason Strength and Range of Motion. Am J Sports Med. 2014.
- ASMI. ASMI Position Statement for Youth Baseball Pitchers. Available at: http://www.asmi.org/asmiweb/position_statement.htm. 2011;(March):2010-2011.
- Ahmad CS, Grantham WJ, Greiwe RM. Public perceptions of Tommy John surgery. Phys Sportsmed. 2012;40(2):64-72.
- Erickson BJ, Gupta AK, Harris JD, et al. Rate of return to pitching and performance after Tommy John surgery in Major League Baseball pitchers. Am J Sports Med. 2014;42(3):536-543.
- Jiang JJ, Leland JM. Analysis of pitching velocity in major league baseball players before and after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. Am J Sports Med. 2014;42(4):880-885.
- Makhni EC, Lee RW, Morrow ZS, Gualtieri AP, Gorroochurn P, Ahmad CS. Performance, Return to Competition, and Reinjury After Tommy John Surgery in Major League Baseball Pitchers: A Review of 147 Cases. Am J Sports Med. 2014;42(6):1323-1332.
- Cain EL, Andrews JR, Dugas JR, et al. Outcome of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction of the elbow in 1281 athletes: Results in 743 athletes with minimum 2-year follow-up. Am J Sports Med. 2010;38(12):2426-2434.
- Osbahr DC, Cain EL, Raines BT, Fortenbaugh D, Dugas JR, Andrews JR. Long-term Outcomes After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Competitive Baseball Players: Minimum 10-Year Follow-up. Am J Sports Med. 2014;42(6):1333-1342.
- Dun S, Loftice J, Fleisig GS, Kingsley D, Andrews JR. A biomechanical comparison of youth baseball pitches: is the curveball potentially harmful? Am J Sports Med. 2008;36(4):686-692.
- Nissen CW, Westwell M, Ounpuu S, Patel M, Solomito M, Tate J. A biomechanical comparison of the fastball and curveball in adolescent baseball pitchers. Am J Sports Med. 2009;37(8):1492-1498.
- Fleisig GS, Kingsley DS, Loftice JW, et al. Kinetic comparison among the fastball, curveball, change-up, and slider in collegiate baseball pitchers. Am J Sports Med. 2006;34(3):423-430.
- Lyman S, Fleisig GS, Andrews JR, Osinski ED. Effect of pitch type, pitch count, and pitching mechanics on risk of elbow and shoulder pain in youth baseball pitchers. Am J Sports Med. 2002;30(4):463-468.
- Nissen C, Solomito M, Garibay E, Ounpuu S, Westwell M. A Biomechanical Comparison of Pitching From a Mound Versus Flat Ground in Adolescent Baseball Pitchers. Sports Health 2013;5(6):530-536.
- Slenker NR, Limpisvasti O, Mohr K, Aguinaldo A, Elattrache NS. Biomechanical comparison of the interval throwing program and baseball pitching: upper extremity loads in training and rehabilitation. Am J Sports Med. 2014;42(5):1226-1232.
- Fleisig GS, Bolt B, Fortenbaugh D, Wilk KE, Andrews JR. Biomechanical comparison of baseball pitching and long-toss: implications for training and rehabilitation. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2011;41(5):296-303.