Hand Doctors Explain Common Baseball Injuries of the Arm & Fingers
The Tigers were off to a great start this month, beating the Oakland A’s, 5-4, on Opening Day in Detroit! And high schools across Michigan are well into spring baseball and softball season. Additionally, with the recent warm weather many kids (and adults!) are heading outdoors playing baseball or softball, as well.
As all players, coaches, and parents know, with any sports, unfortunately, come injuries. And while baseball is a non-contact sport, injuries to the fingers, arm, hand and wrist often occur. Trainers and coaches employ many methods of recognizing, treating baseball injury. Parents should know these too – to help keep kids of all ages safe and healthy whether playing baseball for school or just for fun.
While finger fractures are the most common baseball injury, there are several lesser known but very common baseball injuries. Doctor Rehman is specially trained to diagnose and treat sports and baseball injuries of the hand, elbow, arm, shoulder and wrist. She has helped hundreds of patients in the Clarkston, Waterford & Bloomfield Hills area get relief from athletic injuries and get back to the sport that they love as quickly as possible.
In this article, Doctor Rehman explains a few of the more common medical conditions that can affect child, student, little league, amateur and even professional baseball players.
Mallet Finger (Baseball Finger)
Mallet finger an injury that occurs to the fingertip that is caused by a sharp blow, or a jamming injury, to the fingertip. This injury frequently occurs when catching a baseball, so it is sometimes called baseball finger.
In this condition, the tendon that is responsible for straightening the tip of the finger is damaged, and you may not be able to straighten your finger. Pain and swelling at the end of the finger are the most common symptoms, coupled with an inability to straighten the finger completely. This could become a permanent condition if treatment is not sought early enough.
An X-ray will typically need to be taken to rule out the presence of a fracture. Frequently, the tendon will pull off a piece of the bone to which it is attached at the end of your finger. Most injuries of this nature can be healed through rehabilitation. Assuming there is no fracture, the finger will need to be straightened and placed into a split to keep it stabilized. This splint may need to be worn up to 6 weeks.
But if a large fracture of the bone has occurred, or the joint is misaligned, surgical repair may be required. In general, the longer you have symptoms before you begin rehabilitation, the longer the time period of recovery. So it is important toi see a specialized hand doctor like Dr, Rehman as soon as possible.
Trigger Finger
Trigger finger is common in people who perform repetitive gripping actions or prolonged, strenuous grasping – like athletes who throw or pitch a baseball. While it can also be the result of medical conditions that affect tissue, such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, it is quite commonly seen in baseball players.
Most treatment for trigger finger involves conservative methods such as resting the hands, applying cold packs and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. For more advanced problems, a corticosteroid injection may be performed, and specific occupational therapy exercises prescribed for remediation. Sometimes splinting of the finger is used, to keep the finger in the extended position at night for up to six weeks.
If the condition is severe, surgery could be required. As with any sports injury, early medical intervention is the key to getting you back on teh field as quickly as possible!
Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum
This is an injury to the outside of the elbow that occurs from repeated weight-bearing activities on the arm and elbow. It often occurs in baseball players, but can also happen in other athletes that use overhead motions, such as basketball players, gymnasts, pole vaulters and shot-putters.
The repetitive compression of the elbow creates abnormalities of a small part of the humerus (upper arm bone) at the elbow. Fragment of bone and cartilage can actually break off and cause the elbow to lock.
If the condition is caught early, stopping the activity and engaging in physical therapy may allow the area to heal and resolve the pain. In more severe cases, surgery may be required.
Baseball Tendonitis
Tendonitis of the hands and fingers is a common issue among baseball players, especially those who engage in repetitive throwing, catching, and batting motions. Tendonitis refers to inflammation of the tendons, which are the thick cords of tissue that attach muscles to bones. In baseball, the repetitive stress placed on the hands and fingers can lead to overuse injuries, resulting in tendonitis.
In baseball, two types of tendonitis commonly affect the hands and fingers: flexor tendonitis and extensor tendonitis. Flexor tendonitis affects the tendons on the palm side of the hand and fingers, while extensor tendonitis affects the tendons on the back of the hand and fingers.
Flexor tendonitis typically occurs due to the repetitive gripping of the baseball bat and throwing motions, which can strain the tendons in the palm side of the hand. Symptoms of flexor tendonitis may include pain, swelling, tenderness, and stiffness in the palm and fingers, especially during gripping or flexing motions.
Extensor tendonitis, on the other hand, often results from repetitive extension movements, such as catching balls or making defensive plays. This condition may cause pain, swelling, and tenderness on the back of the hand and fingers, particularly during extension activities.
Treatment for tendonitis of the hands and fingers in baseball players typically involves a combination of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE therapy) to reduce inflammation and pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also be used to alleviate pain and swelling. Additionally, stretching and strengthening exercises, as well as physical therapy, can help improve flexibility and range of motion while reducing the risk of future injuries.
In more severe cases of tendonitis, corticosteroid injections or immobilization with splints or braces may be necessary to facilitate healing. It’s essential for baseball players with tendonitis to allow adequate time for rest and recovery to prevent the condition from worsening or becoming chronic. Gradual return to activity and proper warm-up techniques can also help prevent recurrence of tendonitis in the hands and fingers.
Baseball Injury Hand Doctor Waterford Area
If you or your child is experiencing pain, swelling, or limited mobility in the arm, fingers, hand, elbow, or wrist, after playing baseball or softball, contact Dr. Rehman for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation. As with most medical conditions, early detection, awareness, and a prevention or treatment plan is the most effective way to combat medical conditions caused by playing baseball, or other sports. With early intervention, Doctor Rehman can get you back on the field in no time!
