Shoulder Pain in Throwing Arm

My dd has been experiencing pain and tingling in her throwing shoulder (in the back and in the joint). She is 16 and is a utility player, playing primarily corners, 2nd, and some pitching. She is NOT a regular pitcher and has only been used to chew up an inning or two here and there until recently. Her coach has been using her in the circle more and more, and that's when the issue started. Her pitching coach (who we honestly don't see regularly in season) thinks her form is ok, based on videos I've sent her.

Wondering if anyone can offer an opinion/share experience with this sort of body issue? We have an appointment next week with an orthopedist, and she is benched (by mom and dad) until we see the doctor. Unfortunately she will miss this weekends tournament, but I'm not comfortable risking her health. Plus high school tryouts are in just a few weeks.

You have an appointment with the doctor and you're resting her. I think you're likely pursuing the correct course of action.

It is good that you are taking her to the doctor. So, s/he should be your primary reference.

But, my guess is that it probably is related to pitching.

The stress of softball pitching is on the bicep. The bicep itself rarely hurts. There are two tendons that attach the bicep to the shoulder. These tendons can become inflamed. So, the pitcher experiences shoulder pain. Usually the pain is in the front of the shoulder, but sometimes the pain is in the back of the shoulder.

More information about tendonitis of the long head of the bicep tendon

"Good form" reduces the risk of injury. Good form does *NOT* eliminate the risk.

fastpitch5 said:

My dd has been experiencing pain and tingling in her throwing shoulder (in the back and in the joint). She is 16 and is a utility player, playing primarily corners, 2nd, and some pitching. She is NOT a regular pitcher and has only been used to chew up an inning or two here and there until recently. Her coach has been using her in the circle more and more, and that's when the issue started. Her pitching coach (who we honestly don't see regularly in season) thinks her form is ok, based on videos I've sent her.

Wondering if anyone can offer an opinion/share experience with this sort of body issue? We have an appointment next week with an orthopedist, and she is benched (by mom and dad) until we see the doctor. Unfortunately she will miss this weekends tournament, but I'm not comfortable risking her health. Plus high school tryouts are in just a few weeks.

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My DD is in PT 2x per week for overuse of her rotator cuff. She is not a pitcher (rather a catcher). We went to the ortho as she was experiencing pain (especially after a hard practice or a few games into a tournament), and she also told me she could hear "crunching" in her shoulder. Regular rest, Advil, and ice were not doing the trick. Ortho did an eval and sent her to PT. She is working on specific stretches and exercises for her shoulder and core. We have isolated some poor mechanics to work on as well. We are about 3 weeks into her therapy, and she is starting to see some improvement. Good news for us now is TB season is over (for short term) and MS is starting up - lite practice starting up - so we are in a relatively "quiet" phase where she gets more rest than usual. I am glad we went to see the ortho and are in PT. I think it will help with the immediate concern/issue and also give her the skills (and knowledge) that core strength is critical.

I wish your DD the best of luck and health.

Tingling that shoots down to her fingers?

DD has a besty that is a pitcher and was experiencing some of the same symptoms. MRI showed a labrum tear and seperation. She had to have surgery and 9 months later she can still only pitch an inning or two before her hand goes to sleep. Symptoms are the result of the socket being loose and the shoulder ball slamming into the nerve. I am sure that your doctor will look into all aspects of the shoulder joint and upper arm. You are doing the right thing by resting and seeking medical treatment. In DD's besty's case she played through the pain/symptoms until she just couldn't throw anymore - slight labrum separations can resolve themselves with rest...

You're to be commended for having her sit while this gets sorted out. The shoulder is no laughing matter and repairs are difficult and serious. Always best to be on the safe side but many parents would have their kid keep on playing.

The labrum, long head of the biceps tendon, supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons should all be on the short list.

Although a longshot, with tingling and pain in the back of the shoulder, the C5-6 joint could also be a possibility.

The doc will be looking for instability (subluxation), lack of strength, decreased range of motion and diminished reflexes .... all manual tests that shouldn't be uncomfortable for her. If anything is found, then more tests might be ordered, such as an MRI if it is shoulder-related or EMG if it seems to be emanating from her neck.

It is probably nothing major and hopefully it can be resolved with a bit of PT and some OTC drugs. If not, PLEASE make sure that you ask around your town and find out who the best shoulder surgeon is. A general ortho who does mostly knees and broken bones isn't who I'd want working on my DD's shoulder. I'd want someone with 1,000s of successful shoulder surgeries under his or her belt .... a shoulder specialist, so to speak.

I am not trying to scare you or sound ominous or anything. I'm sure it's just a minor issue and she'll be fine.

fastpitch5 said:

My dd has been experiencing pain and tingling in her throwing shoulder (in the back and in the joint). She is 16 and is a utility player, playing primarily corners, 2nd, and some pitching. She is NOT a regular pitcher and has only been used to chew up an inning or two here and there until recently. Her coach has been using her in the circle more and more, and that's when the issue started. Her pitching coach (who we honestly don't see regularly in season) thinks her form is ok, based on videos I've sent her.

Wondering if anyone can offer an opinion/share experience with this sort of body issue? We have an appointment next week with an orthopedist, and she is benched (by mom and dad) until we see the doctor. Unfortunately she will miss this weekends tournament, but I'm not comfortable risking her health. Plus high school tryouts are in just a few weeks.

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Years ago my dd had similar symptoms and it ended up being due to a weak rotator cuff and irritated bursa. My dd was given exercises to do at home. She still does those exercises today. I hope and pray your dd's prognosis is similar. It's an easy and painless fix.

Pitchers and catchers should do specific exercises before and after any throwing, both practice and games. My daughter suffered from the same issues and after months of PT, she is back playing again. The sleeper stretch is the most important thing for overhead athletes and I'll bet the PT tells her she should be doing that several times a day.

ScottyDont said:

Pitchers and catchers should do specific exercises before and after any throwing, both practice and games. My daughter suffered from the same issues and after months of PT, she is back playing again. The sleeper stretch is the most important thing for overhead athletes and I'll bet the PT tells her she should be doing that several times a day.

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We have added a resistance band to the softball bag. My DD is attaching to the fence to do stretches at the field before practice (as a part of her warm-ups). Helps her get the extra stretches in she needs. Does your DD use them too?