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Whether you are gearing up for a college baseball game or preparing for a major league, knowing common baseball injuries and their treatment can save you from setbacks in the game.
Baseball isn’t a dangerous sport but rather a slow-paced game. Nevertheless, playing for long stretches of hours and repetitive motions can take a toll on the body, resulting in overuse injuries.
You can either play it safe and enjoy the game by earning extra bucks on Lottabet or learn about the most common baseball injuries. We also have shared some effective tips to avoid injuries while playing baseball so that you can enjoy your favorite game without stressing your body.
What Are The Most Common Injuries?
Rotator Cuff Injuries
One of the most common injuries witnessed in pitchers is the Rotator Cuff injury. The rotator cuff comprises four muscles, forming ligaments around the shoulder. And it helps move the shoulder and arm from and away from the body.
High intensity, repetitive throwing motions can wear down the muscles around the shoulder, causing swelling and pain in the region. There may also be a crackling sensation while moving the arm.
If you experience similar symptoms, get physical therapy as soon as possible. Otherwise, it can lead to permanent damage to your muscles, losing the ability to properly rotate the shoulder.
Shoulder Instability
Shoulder Instability, also known as dead arm injury, occurs when the muscles get fatigued, and joints grow unstable.
Overuse and repetitive shoulder movements can lead to a dead arm injury and cause pain, swelling, and losing sensation in the shoulder.
In the initial stage, it can be treated by physical therapy or long rest. If it goes untreated for a long time, it may require surgical treatment.
Labral Tears
Labral tears occur when the labral tissues protecting the top of the shoulder socket are pulled away from the bone.
Once again, repetitive throwing motions are also the culprits of labral tears. It can give a grinding or clicking sensation along with excruciating pain.
Treatments mainly include extended rest and physical therapy with prescription medicine. Worst case scenario may involve arthroscopic surgery.
Hamate Hook Fractures
Hamat is one of the several small bones between the forearm and wrist. It is a square-shaped bone located below the ring and a small finger.
Hamate hook fractures most likely occur due to the impact of swinging and griping of objects like baseball bats. Such injury can cause swelling and bruising coupled with pain.
Therapists mostly suggest avoiding using the wrist until it completely heals. Infrequently, it may require surgery and can take up to six weeks to recover.
Medial Epicondylitis
Medial Epicondylitis is another forearm injury, commonly known as a golfer’s elbow or baseball’s elbow. This condition develops when the tendons on the inside of the elbow are inflamed.
Players involved in gripping, twisting, and throwing activities are more prone to this injury. Common symptoms of Golfer’s elbow are tenderness, numbness, stiffness, and weakness. The pain can extend from the elbow to the wrist on the palm side of the forearm and can be felt while bending the wrist.
Under mild conditions, it can easily be treated by ice-pack, strengthening exercise, and anti-inflammatory medicines. But if you are unable to bend the elbow, it looks deformed, or suspect a broken bone, consults a doctor immediately.
Pitching Injuries
Pitching injuries are the most devastating ones because of repetitive and unnatural motions. More common pitching injuries are Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL), Elbow Tendonitis, and Oblique Strains.
UCL is a tendon working as a stabilizer for the joint in the elbow. Over tossing, movements can cause tenderness and inflammation to the inner part of the elbow joint. Stiffness, shivering in the little and the ring finger is also one of the symptoms and can affect the ability to grip and straighten the arm.
On the other hand, elbow tendonitis also pertains to elbow injuries causing irritation and swelling on the inner tendons of the elbow.
The above conditions can be treated through rest, strengthening exercises, and over-the-counter painkillers.
While Oblique strains come about the oblique or abs muscles due to tearing or overstretching, it mostly happens in the inner oblique due to hitting or pitching.
It can cause agony and stiffness and can be treated by easing off and doing light core exercises.
Base Running Injuries
Base Running Injuries are particularly related to ligaments, muscles in the knees, and hamstrings. Bolting, abruptly stopping, sliding, and crashing becomes the major root of such injuries. It can lead to afflictions like Knee Injuries (ACL/MCL), Achilles Tendonitis, and Hamstring Injuries.
Tearing of ligaments in knee injury can cause excruciating pain and popping sensation. Most of the time, ACL or MCL injuries require surgeries.
Swelling and inflammation can occur in the Achilles tendon that connects the muscles in the calf to the heel. It would require a cooling off and strengthening exercises for the calf to heal.
On the other hand, sudden or abrupt movements can tear the large muscle groups in the back of the thigh. It is suggested to use wraps or braces and keep legs elevated to eliminate the swelling.
Hitting Injuries
Hitting is one of the baseball roles that can take a toll on your whole body due to continuous exertion of the force. Most common hitter injuries include Meniscus Tears, Hand and Wrist Injuries.
Meniscus tear is a knee injury that normally occurs during batting, running between bases, or throwing. The meniscus is the c-shaped cartilage that can tear in the knee twist.
Hitting also puts a lot of strain on the hand and wrists leading to fractures, dislocations, bruised bones, and sprains. Ice packs, physiotherapy, and pain killers are useful treatments for mild strains and bruises.
Tips to Avoid Injuries While Playing Baseball
- Always stretch yourself and warm up before playing
Stretching and warming up loosens your muscles making them more flexible, reducing the chances of injuries. Light jogging, jumping jacks, and stretching exercises benefit the back, shoulders, and hamstrings muscles. - Wear the correct sporting gear
Sports gears play a crucial part in protecting from any possible injury. Fitted shoes enable safe running and protect you from ankle or knee injuries. Helmet, catcher’s mitt, throat guard, face mask, chest guard, and shin protectors ensure protection from any falls and hits. - Play on a safe ground
Make sure to use a playground that is even and without any potholes. Another way of minimizing bruises during sliding is by using a breakaway base. Unlike an unbending conventional base, it automatically dislodges and prevents injury when sliding. - Work on your method
If the player isn’t aware of the proper timing of sliding or technique of throwing and hitting, it can cause major injury. Learn the right playing techniques from the experts to avoid any serious injuries.
Conclusion
Even though you now know how to prevent and tackle any injury, there is still no harm in consulting a doctor so that you can be given treatment that’s best for you. And if you don’t feel like taking up baseball this season, why not head over to Lottabet and earn up to 250% extra bonus while enjoying your favorite game.
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