Elbow range of motion in professional baseball pitchers.

Background: Physicians involved with the care of baseball players have noted elbow range of motion changes in pitchers. Objective data regarding the extent of these changes have rarely been documented.

Hypothesis: Dominant and nondominant elbow range of motion differences are common in baseball pitchers, and these differences are related to player age, amount and length of time professionally pitched, and history of surgical procedures on the dominant extremity.

Shoulder disorders in the skeletally immature throwing athlete.

Shoulder injuries are common in young throwing athletes. Most injuries are overuse types related to excessive pitch counts, premature use of breaking pitches, and improper pitching mechanics. These etiologic factors should be recognized early and treated.