Child Fastpitch Pitcher And Injured Wrist? What You Can Do About This
Posted on: 28 June 2017
If your child plays softball and loves to pitch, it can be easy to become injured, especially if they have been pitching for a long time. There are many injuries that can happen, one being an injury to the wrist. This is because the wrist is used in a snapping motion when the ball is released. If your child's doctor has told them they have this injury they can try many things to get their wrist back to normal again. In some cases, however, their wrist may not completely heal, which means they could not pitch anymore. Below is some more information about this so you will know what you should do.
Orthopedic Sports Medicine
Take your child to an orthopedic sports medicine doctor to have their wrist looked at. This type of doctor is experienced in working with people that have a variety of sports injuries. For a wrist, they will likely first do an MRI so they can see what is going on. One common problem is tendinitis, which can be caused by overusing the wrist. For example, if your child is the best pitcher on the team the coach may use them too much. If your child is not warmed up properly before they start pitching this can also cause injury. They may have a sprain in their wrist also.
No matter the problem, the doctor will ask your child to rest their wrist. They will do this by asking them to wear a brace for a certain amount of time and to stop pitching completely. If the pain continues or your child is having a hard time not pitching, the doctor may put on a cast. The doctor may also prescribe medication to help with the pain.
If they are still in pain, the doctor may suggest surgery. This can work well to treat the pain and prevent it from coming back again. Your child could then start pitching again ensuring they do not pitch too much and warm up properly.
What to Do if They Have to Stop
In some cases, the wrist may never get back to normal and your child would have to stop pitching. This will likely be very hard for them, especially if they love to pitch.
They could still play softball by learning to play another position. This could be something in the infield, or because they likely have a strong arm an outfield position may work well If your child would like to do this you need to consult with their doctor first. Your child will not use their wrist near as much by throwing the ball during games.
If they find they cannot throw the ball well, they could teach pitching if and when they are old enough. They can teach young players that are interested in learning how to pitch. Your child would not have to pitch the ball hard while they are training.
It will take time for your child's wrist to heal and you may want to consider taking them out of softball for one season. Check with a care provider like Associates In Orthopedics & Sports Medicine PC for more information.
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